For the first time in its 65-year history, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) assigned women to serve as honor guards during a diplomatic ceremony on May 12.

A total 13 female soldiers stood in the ranks of the PLA’s honor guard at the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. Standing beside their male comrades, the women were addressed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.