PLA soldiers share tearful discharge in farewell ceremonies
By CFP - Globaltimes.cn, Published: 2015-09-07 17:59:06
Female soldiers take part in a farewell ceremony in Jinan, Shandong Province on September 6, during which they removed their epaulettes and badges.
Editor's Note:
This September is an emotional time for those serving in China's armed forces, as it marks the first year China's PLA is retiring soldiers in two groups. The second group will retire this December. Photos: CFP
Soldiers share a tearful goodbye. 
An armed police soldier salutes his comrades on a train at a railway station in Handan, Hebei Province on September 5, 2015. Photos: CFP 
Veteran Yang Xiaohui, an armed police soldier, holds his epaulette and cap badge after removing them during a farewell ceremony in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, on September 5, 2015.
Yang Xiaohui tears up as he hugs his comrade farewell on September 5.
A veteran makes his bed for the last time at a base in Chenzhou, Hunan Province, on September 4, 2015. 
Veterans throw their caps in celebration after fulfilling their service in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province on September 4. 
Veterans embrace in an emotional farewell in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province on September 4. 
A soldier bids farewell to a police dog in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on September 4.
An armed police veteran burst into tears while kissing his epaulette in Chaohu, Anhui Province, on September 4. 
A soldier removes the collar badges from a fellow veteran during a farewell ceremony in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, on September 4. 
Veterans hug each other goodbye in Bozhou, Anhui Province, on September 4. 
Veterans applaud at a farewell ceremony in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, on September 4. A total of 163 veterans from seven provinces and cities left the detachment and returned to their hometowns. 
A female soldier poses for a photo during a farewell ceremony in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, on September 4. 
Veterans head back to their hometowns in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, on September 4.