Two former fashion models led the platoon of Beijing Women's Militia Police at the October 1 National Day parade evoking smiles from President Hu Jintao, media reports said.
The mini-skirted Chinese policewomen wearing figure-flattering outfits, calf-length go-go boots marched immacuately at the parade.
The militia is a civilian force, and marching at this year's parade were university students, corporate workers, village officials — and even young mothers!
The two women who were heading the marching militia unit — Zhang Xiaofei and Zhao Na — are final-year students at China Women's University in Beijing, who deferred their graduation for the honour of participating in this year's 60th anniversary parade. They are also professional models — and China's newest sweethearts, says a report in DNA.
Within a day of the parade that awed the world with its sheer choreographic excellence, diligent Chinese internet users dug out modelling shots of Zhang and Zhao, including a few photographs of them in bikini.
Zhang has modelled for L'Oreal cosmetics and a mainland Chinese apparel brand, and Zhao has appeared in print advertisements for foreign carmakers Mercedes-Benz and Audi.
Both hail from the Shandong province in China's east, and had appeared as hostesses at last year's Beijing Olympics.
For the two fashion models, getting in step with the rigorous military training was a huge effort. In the early days, they couldn't even stand at attention — and were mocked by the fellow-militia members.
They then claim to have taken it as a challenge to excel — however painful it was. If the others did 20 push-ups, they did 50.
And even though their skin became tanned and calloused from long hours of marching, putting their modelling careers at risk, they didn't flinch.
In 1958, the female militia unit made its debut. The unit was actively cultivated for its capacity to project "soft power" as much as to serve as an inspiration for the country's women. The female militia members can evidently kill with just their good looks.
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