Qigong stunts halted by Beijing military brigade  

北京军区部队叫停大批表演性课目 包括硬气功

头开红砖、背断木棍、钢针穿玻璃、咽喉顶钢筋推车……这些曾为部队赢得不少荣誉、受到官兵热捧的训练课目，如今淡出北京军区某特种作战旅训练场。今年初，该旅在制订训练计划时砍掉了这些表演性课目。[查看全文]

(ECNS) -- Peformance-oriented Qigong skills have been banned by a special warfare brigade at the Beijing military area command, the PLA Daily reported on Monday.

The "hard" Qigong skills include soldiers throwing needles through plate glass and using their heads to break bricks.

Although the practices are popular with viewers and have drawn praise for the soldiers, daily training in such skills is a waste of time and energy, according to the brigade's party committee.

"Fighting a battle is not a show, and military training should aim at improving practical experience," said Zhang Aijun, commander of the brigade.

Although training in these skills has been canceled, soldiers can still practice them as a hobby, he added.