Chinese Generals Shed Weight, Shape Up For Sept 3 Military Parade

People's Liberation Army (PLA) generals have shed more than five kg on average as they train for the Sept 3 military parade.

More than 50 generals, with an average age of 53, will lead parade units involving 12,000 people. The oldest general is 58, more than 30 years older than other soldiers, Chinese state media reported today.

Feng Kaichun, who is in charge of training the generals was quoted as saying in PLA Daily that Lieutenant General Deng Zhiping, 52, had shed more than 7 kg to less than 80 kg since training began.

Lieutenant General Deng Zhiping, 52, had shed more than 7 kg to less than 80 kg since training began. "My waistline was trimmed down by 12 cm," said Deng quoted in PLA daily.

Another general, Zhang Haiqing, aged 56, straps 4 kg of weights on his legs during training to ensure the required pace.

For perfect standing posture, the generals place poker cards between their knees to ensure there's no visible gap and between their hands and legs to keep their arms locked to their body.

To increase stamina, they practice marching more than 200 meters at a time, far more than the 96 meters their coach requires, and they practice several times a day.

The Sept 3 parade, marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II is billed as China’s biggest military extravaganza since the Mao era.