View source for People's Liberation Army Special Operations Forces

{{short description|Special Operations Forces of China}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = People's Liberation Army<br>Special Operations Forces
| native_name                   = 中国人民解放军特种部队
| image                         = 
| image_size                    = 
| caption                       = 
| dates                         = 1988 – present
| country                       = {{PRC}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = {{Army|China|name=Ground Force|size=23px}} <br> {{Navy|China|name=Navy|size=23px}} <br> {{Air force|China|name=Air Force|size=23px}} <br> {{Flagicon image|Rocket Force Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg|size=23px}} [[People's Liberation Army Rocket Force|Rocket Force]]
| type                          = [[Special forces]]
| command_structure             = {{armed forces|China}}
| role                          = 
| size                          = 
| current_commander             = 
| garrison                      = 
| ceremonial_chief              = 
| ceremonial_chief_label        = 
| colonel_of_the_regiment       = 
| nickname                      = 
| motto                         = 
| colors                        = 
| march                         = 《特种部队之歌》<br />{{small|("Anthem of the Special Forces")}}
| mascot                        = 
| battles                       = {{blist|[[Sino-vietnamese war]]}}
{{blist|[[Anti-piracy measures in Somalia]]}}
| notable_commanders            = 
| anniversaries                 = 
| identification_symbol         = [[File:People's Liberation Army Special Operations Forces sleeve badge.svg|100px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Sleeve badge
}}
{{PRC military sidebar}}

In the [[People's Republic of China]], the '''special operations forces of the People's Liberation Army''' (PLA SOF) are units that conduct direct action and reconnaissance, including in enemy rear areas, to prepare the advance of friendly forces; they also perform [[counter-terrorism]] operations, although that mission is formally assigned to [[People's Armed Police]]. PLA SOF does not control, but may support, [[psychological warfare]] operations.{{sfn|United States Department of Defense|2023|p=82}}

Each [[Theater commands of the People's Liberation Army|theater command]] controls their own SOF units. The units rely on external support to conduct missions.{{sfn|United States Department of Defense|2023|p=84}} Most ground SOF are organized like conventional light infantry units.{{sfn|United States Department of Defense|2023|p=86}} In 2022, many units were recently converted from conventional forces and likely had capabilities closer to [[shock troops]] than [[special forces]].{{sfn|Chen|Wuthnow|2022|p=6}}

In 2022, the PLA SOF consisted of 15 [[People's Liberation Army Ground Force|Ground Force]] (PLAGF) brigades, one [[People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] (PLANMC) brigade, one [[People's Liberation Army Air Force Airborne Corps|Airborne Corps]] (PLAAFAC) brigade, and the [[People's Liberation Army Rocket Force|Rocket Force]] (PLARF) Reconnaissance Regiment.{{sfn|United States Department of Defense|2023|p=85}}

== History ==

The first Army SOF units were created in the 1990s.{{sfn|Horn|Ilis-Alm|2024|p=112}} At the end of the 1990s, each Military Region had an Army SOF or a special reconnaissance force of approximately 1,000 personnel.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Cunningham |first=Fiona S. |title=Under the Nuclear Shadow: China's Information-Age Weapons in International Security |date=2025 |publisher=[[Princeton University Press]] |isbn=978-0-691-26103-4 |location= |doi=10.2307/jj.16040335 |jstor=jj.16040335}}</ref>{{Rp|page=294}}

Navy special forces deployed with the first Chinese [[Anti-piracy measures in Somalia|anti-piracy naval patrol off Somalia]] on 26 December 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chinese Navy sets sail for anti-piracy mission off Somalia |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-12/26/content_7344989.htm |website=China Daily |agency=Xinhua |date=26 December 2008 |access-date=29 March 2024 |archive-date=30 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330041550/https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-12/26/content_7344989.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

After 2013, the PLA placed increased emphasis on expanding its SOF.<ref name=":02" />{{Rp|page=294}}

By 2022, PLA SOF had been expanded by converting conventional forces.{{sfn|Chen|Wuthnow|2022|p=8}}

== Organization ==
[[File:140716-G-HN254-571 (14714332244).jpg|thumb|Marine special forces in 2016.]]

The PLA SOF is divided into 2000-3000 personnel brigades or 1000-2000 personnel regiments.{{sfn|United States Department of Defense|2023|p=84}} Brigades are internally organized like conventional PLAGF brigades with the "brigade-battalion-company-team" hierarchy,{{sfn|United States Department of Defense|2023|p=84}}{{sfn|Chen|Wuthnow|2022|p=7}} which delegate less authority to team commanders. Conventional "centralized", rather than "task oriented", command style is used.{{sfn|Chen|Wuthnow|2022|p=8}}

China does not have a national-level command for SOF (like the USA's [[United States Special Operations Command|SOCOM]]). Theater Commands control their own SOF units.{{sfn|United States Department of Defense|2023|p=84}} Each [[Group army (military unit)|group army]] contains a SOF brigade.{{sfn|United States Department of Defense|2023|p=85}} Units have discrete missions depending on their location and branch.{{sfn|United States Department of Defense|2023|p=84}}

Each of the SOF brigades has a semi-formal cognomen as well as a number (which is usually identical to the group army they are subordinated to). The special Xinjiang and Tibet military districts also have their own brigades. The Navy, the Air Force, and the Rocket Force all deploy their own units.

* [[Eastern Theater Command]]
** {{Ill|71st Special Forces Brigade|lt=71st Special Forces Brigade "Sharks" (海鲨)|zh|中国人民解放军陆军特种作战第七十一旅}} - [[71st Group Army]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=网易 |date=2022-07-25 |title=中野虎师！第71集团军"海鲨"特战旅，前身部队有多牛？ |url=https://www.163.com/dy/article/HD4OQD9T0543QIDU.html |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.163.com |archive-date=2024-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523085250/https://www.163.com/dy/article/HD4OQD9T0543QIDU.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2019-09-02 |title=21支特战劲旅 磨砺反恐尖刀 |url=https://www.takungpao.com/news/232108/2019/0902/343977.html |website=Ta Kung Pao}}</ref>
** 72nd Special Forces Brigade "Thunderbolts" (霹雳) - [[72nd Group Army]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=霹雳尖兵淬炼胜战刀锋——记新征程上的"南京路上好八连"-新华网 |url=http://www.news.cn/politics/2023-04/25/c_1129564955.htm |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.news.cn |archive-date=2023-11-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128132231/http://www.news.cn/politics/2023-04/25/c_1129564955.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3" />
** 73rd Special Forces Brigade "East Sea Flying Dragons" (东海飞龙) - [[73rd Group Army]] - Stationed in [[Fujian]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=sina_mobile |date=2022-03-13 |title=全套单兵作战系统：东部战区"东海飞龙"特种部队换装 |url=https://mil.sina.cn/zgjq/2022-03-13/detail-imcwiwss5782127.d.html |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=mil.sina.cn |archive-date=2022-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314111507/https://mil.sina.cn/zgjq/2022-03-13/detail-imcwiwss5782127.d.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=特战双“龙”出海 锤炼夺岛登陆技能 |url=https://www.takungpao.com/news/232108/2024/0205/940296.html |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=[[Ta Kung Pao]]}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
* [[Southern Theater Command]]:
** 74th Special Forces Brigade "Southern Sharp Swords" (南国利剑) - [[74th Group Army]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=第74集团军某特战旅带你体验"神兵天降" - 中国军网 |url=http://www.81.cn/tz/jdt_208572/16201444.html |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.81.cn |archive-date=2023-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313091918/http://www.81.cn/tz/jdt_208572/16201444.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3" />
** {{Ill|75th Special Forces Brigade|lt=75th Special Forces Brigade "Jungle Tigers" (丛林猛虎)|zh|中国人民解放军陆军特种作战第七十五旅}} - [[75th Group Army]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=网易 |date=2022-12-09 |title=丛林虎！第75集团军特战旅，到底什么来头？"老山主攻团"的传人 |url=https://www.163.com/dy/article/HO4VPQJJ0543QIDU.html |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.163.com |archive-date=2024-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523085444/https://www.163.com/dy/article/HO4VPQJJ0543QIDU.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=中国集团军丨第75集团军：丛林猛虎、南疆长城_新闻_央视网(cctv.com) |url=http://m.news.cctv.com/2019/08/01/ARTIa7cVnasdtzG8nB31FC44190801.shtml |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=m.news.cctv.com |archive-date=2024-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523085244/http://m.news.cctv.com/2019/08/01/ARTIa7cVnasdtzG8nB31FC44190801.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3" />
* [[Western Theater Command]]:
** 76th Special Forces Brigade "Snowy Maples" (雪枫){{efn|the reason for the unit's rather non-fierce nickname is that it is an homage to the wartime hero [[Peng Xuefeng]]}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=忠诚赤胆铸尖刀——记陆军第76集团军某特战旅特战营营长刘近-新华网 |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2021-08/05/c_1127732866.htm |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.xinhuanet.com |archive-date=2024-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523085449/http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2021-08/05/c_1127732866.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=燃爆网络！"雪枫特战旅"网络直播点击量1.41亿 - 中国军网 |url=http://www.81.cn/2018zt/2018-04/02/content_7992988.htm |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.81.cn |archive-date=2020-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126161538/http://www.81.cn/2018zt/2018-04/02/content_7992988.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> - [[76th Group Army]] - Formerly nicknamed the "Tigers of the Night" (暗夜之虎) and known as the Special Operations Battalion, [[Lanzhou Military Region]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2014-12-16 |editor-last=Sun |editor-first=Zhiying |title=解放军特种部队的帅气别名 |url=http://photo.81.cn/jrfc/2014-12/16/content_6270918_3.htm |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=Chinese Military}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
*** 8th Company, 76th Special Forces Brigade "Sky Wolf Commandos" (天狼突击队)<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tan |first=Jingqing |last2=Wang |first2=Yukai |last3=Chen |first3=Meng |last4=Ma |first4=Zhen |date=2021-06-08 |editor-last=Liu |editor-first=Shangjing |title=第76集团军某旅"天狼突击队"：永远奔跑在追赶时代的路上 |url=http://www.mod.gov.cn/gfbw/wzll/lj/4887015.html |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Ministry of National Defense}}</ref>
** 77th Special Forces Brigade "Southwest Cheetahs" (西南猎豹) - [[77th Group Army]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=猎豹出击 - 解放军报 - 中国军网 |url=http://www.81.cn/jfjbmap/content/2018-07/30/content_212076.htm |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.81.cn |archive-date=2024-05-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521151514/http://www.81.cn/jfjbmap/content/2018-07/30/content_212076.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3" />
* [[Northern Theater Command]] 
** 78th Special Forces Brigade "Blood Wolves" (血狼) - [[78th Group Army]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=陆军第78集团军某特战旅组织特战队员跳伞训练 - 中华人民共和国国防部 |url=http://www.mod.gov.cn/gfbw/zt/gfbwzt/2018_213791/lbbzdzjbjl/jt_213806/4820399.html |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.mod.gov.cn |archive-date=2024-05-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521151519/http://www.mod.gov.cn/gfbw/zt/gfbwzt/2018_213791/lbbzdzjbjl/jt_213806/4820399.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=特战劲旅"血狼"：开启面向未来战场的胜战突击 - 中华人民共和国国防部 |url=http://www.mod.gov.cn/gfbw/wzll/lj/4838532.html |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.mod.gov.cn |archive-date=2024-05-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521151519/http://www.mod.gov.cn/gfbw/wzll/lj/4838532.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3" />
** 79th Special Forces Brigade "Amur Tigers" (东北虎) - [[79th Group Army]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=精锐"东北虎"第79集团军 _大公网 |url=https://www.takungpao.com/news/232108/2018/0930/182930.html |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.takungpao.com |archive-date=2023-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314002920/http://www.takungpao.com/news/232108/2018/0930/182930.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3" />
** 80th Special Forces Brigade "[[Mount Tai|Taishan]] Eagles" (泰山雄鹰) - [[80th Group Army]];<ref>{{Cite web |title=雄鹰特战旅的军事运动会！燃！燃！燃！-今日头条 |url=https://www.toutiao.com/article/7041360566220309005/?source=seo_tt_juhe |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521151521/https://www.toutiao.com/article/7041360566220309005/?source=seo_tt_juhe&wid=1716304521827 |archive-date=2024-05-21 |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.toutiao.com |publisher=[[80th Group Army]] Political Office}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> stationed in [[Tai'an]], [[Military unit cover designator|MUCD]] unit 71770, formerly [[26th Group Army]] special operations brigade<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-10-09 |title=国足集训营有多苦？来看看这支老牌特种部队的训练项目！ |url=https://wenhui.whb.cn/third/baidu/201810/09/216863.html |website=Wen Wei Po}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=解放军王牌特种部队能救国足吗?网友们脑洞炸裂 |url=http://m.ce.cn/yw/gd/201810/10/t20181010_30474929.shtml |website=Economic Daily}}</ref>
* [[Central Theater Command]] 
** 81st Special Forces Brigade "Cheetahs" (獵豹) - [[81st Group Army]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ronce237 |title=PLA第81集团军猎豹特战旅实战训练_哔哩哔哩_bilibili |url=https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1mV411d7gL/ |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.bilibili.com |language=zh-Hans |archive-date=2024-05-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521151515/https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1mV411d7gL/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3" />
** 82nd Special Forces Brigade "Whistling Arrows" (响箭) - [[82nd Group Army]];<ref>{{Cite web |last=绍兴文史 |date=2023-06-29 |title=特种兵部队实力强大，响箭特种兵国际闻名，战斗力非凡_手机网易网 |url=https://www.163.com/dy/article/I8DL1I6905562KJX.html |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.163.com |language=en |archive-date=2024-05-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521151517/https://www.163.com/dy/article/I8DL1I6905562KJX.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3" /> stationed in [[Beijing]]; formerly nicknamed the "Eastern Wind Godly Sword" (东风神剑) and known as the Special Operations Battalion, [[PLA Beijing Garrison|Beijing Military District]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=解放军特种部队的帅气别名 |url=http://photo.81.cn/jrfc/2014-12/16/content_6270918_2.htm |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=photo.81.cn |publisher=Chinese Military}}</ref>
** 83rd Special Forces Brigade "Central Plains Tigers" (中原猛虎) - [[83rd Group Army]]<ref name=":3" />
* [[Xinjiang Military District]]
** 84th Special Forces Brigade "[[Kunlun]] Sharp Blades" (昆仑利刃) <ref>{{Cite web |title=强军精武河南兵丨祝志强： 用忠诚铸就"昆仑利刃" - 德耀中华 - 新乡网新闻中心 |url=https://news.xxrb.com.cn/html/2023/dyzh_0802/351913.html |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=news.xxrb.com.cn |archive-date=2023-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802165718/https://news.xxrb.com.cn/html/2023/dyzh_0802/351913.html |url-status=live }}</ref> - Stationed in [[Kashgar]]<ref name=":3" />
* [[Tibet Military District]]
** 85th Special Forces Brigade "Plateau Snow Leopards" (高原雪豹)<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Liu |first=Zhidan |last2=Hu |first2=Zhenfang |last3=Wei |first3=Dong |last4=Zhang |first4=Wei |date=2019-04-30 |editor-last=Wang |editor-first=Yi |title=“高原雪豹”展雄姿 直击西藏某特战旅极限演练 |url=http://m.chinanews.com/wap/detail/sp/sp/shipin/cns-d/2019/04-30/news8824620.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521152028/http://m.chinanews.com/wap/detail/sp/sp/shipin/cns-d/2019/04-30/news8824620.shtml |archive-date=2024-05-21 |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=[[China News Service]]}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
* [[People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps|PLANMC]]
** [[Special Operations Brigade (PLA Navy Marine Corps)|7th Marine Brigade "Flood Dragons" (蛟龙)]]{{efn|the [[jiaolong]] is a notoriously hard-to-translate mythical creature, so it is often simply pronounced as in Mandarin rather than translated.}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=走进"蛟龙突击队"，感受海军特战尖兵的血性与忠诚-新华网 |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/mil/2022-12/27/c_1211712585.htm |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.xinhuanet.com |archive-date=2024-05-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521152049/http://www.xinhuanet.com/mil/2022-12/27/c_1211712585.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> - Stationed at [[Yulin Naval Base]]
* [[People's Liberation Army Air Force Airborne Corps|PLAAF Airborne Corps]]
** Airborne Corps Special Forces Brigade "Thunder Gods"(雷神)<ref>{{Cite web |title="雷神突击队"女子特战小队：以最美的青春，守护最可爱的祖国 - 中华人民共和国国防部 |url=http://www.mod.gov.cn/gfbw/wzll/kj/4904909.html |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.mod.gov.cn |archive-date=2023-06-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606024139/http://www.mod.gov.cn/gfbw/wzll/kj/4904909.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[People's Liberation Army Rocket Force|Rocket Force]]
** Special Forces Unit "Sharp Blades" (利刃)<ref>{{Cite web |title=中国火箭军特种部队"利刃"特种大队-特战基地 |url=http://www.tezhanjidi.com/tzbd/list/20190912808.html |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.tezhanjidi.com |archive-date=2023-12-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206015054/http://www.tezhanjidi.com/tzbd/list/20190912808.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ma |first=Xiu |title=PLA Rocket Force Organization |url=https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/CASI/documents/Research/PLARF/2022-10-24%20PLARF%20Organization.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=Air University |publisher=China Aerospace Studies Institute |archive-date=2022-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024133250/https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/CASI/documents/Research/PLARF/2022-10-24%20PLARF%20Organization.pdf }}</ref>

== Training ==
In 2014, the 82nd Special Forces Brigade acceptance criteria included passing a track and field exercises. Members received combat, mobility, infiltration and reconnaissance training.<ref name=":0" />

The training of the 85th Special Force Brigade includes carrying 25&nbsp;kg weights from an altitude of 3700 meters up to an altitude of 5300 meters along with completion of 6 events in 12 hours.<ref name=":2" />

The selection course for the PLARF Special Forces Unit consists of:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=Yonggang |last2=Zhang |first2=Wenping |last3=Wang |first3=Wei |date=2014-09-24 |editor-last=Song |editor-first=Kaiguo |title=第二炮兵“利刃”特种部队训练酷图 |url=http://www.81.cn/depb/2014-09/24/content_5909018_2.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250330145755/http://www.81.cn/depb/2014-09/24/content_5909018_2.htm |archive-date=2025-03-30 |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=Chinese Military}}</ref>

* Running 5&nbsp;km under 25 minutes while carrying 20&nbsp;kg of weight
* Crossing a shaky bridge
* Crossing a 20 meters tunnel which has a diameter of 50&nbsp;cm
* Lifting a tire 60 times and crossing a balance beam
* Crawling under a 25 meter long, 30 CM tall barbed wire net
* [[Resistance to interrogation]] training

== Capabilities ==

SOF receive priority for quality personnel{{sfn|United States Department of Defense|2023|p=84}} and new equipment.{{sfn|United States Department of Defense|2023|p=86}}

All SOC units are airborne and air assault capable.{{sfn|United States Department of Defense|2023|p=86}}

SOF has limited organic dedicated infrastructure of support.{{sfn|United States Department of Defense|2023|p=84}} It relies on theater logistics{{sfn|United States Department of Defense|2023|p=86}} and external resources to carry out missions. The PLAAFAC provides all SOF units with tactical insertion, extraction, and resupply.{{sfn|United States Department of Defense|2023|p=84}} SOF operations in the enemy rear are restricted by the limited ability of conventional forces to support them. SOF and conventional brigades suffer similar problems with command and control, including communications inside SOF brigades and between SOF and conventional units.{{sfn|United States Department of Defense|2023|p=86}}

According to Chen and Wuthnow in 2022, the command structure and mission of most PLA SOF brigades resembled the [[United States Army Rangers]] rather than [[Delta Force]].{{sfn|Chen|Wuthnow|2022|pp=6-7}}

Inter-service SOF training is rare, the most common being PLAGF SOF with PLAAF aircraft.{{sfn|United States Department of Defense|2023|pp=85-86}}

== Awards ==
* Antropoid 2009: the [[Jinan Military Region]] SOF group (Now the 80th Special Forces Brigade)<ref name=":4" /> won eight first places and six second places in 13 events.<ref name="chinamil1">{{cite web |url = http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/news-channels/china-military-news/2010-02/23/content_4140376.htm |title=Chinese NCO flaunts might in international military competition |publisher=Eng.chinamil.com.cn |date=2010-02-23 |access-date=2012-02-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120822233503/http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/news-channels/china-military-news/2010-02/23/content_4140376.htm |archive-date=2012-08-22 }}</ref>
* In the 2013 "Blade Sharpening" (砺刃—2013) military competition, which was the first ever PLASOF inter-unit competition, the 79th Special Forces Brigade won first place.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-09-30 |title=精锐“东北虎”第79集团军 |url=https://www.takungpao.com/news/232108/2018/0930/182930.html |website=Ta Kung Pao}}</ref>
* Golden Owl 2015: the "Thunder Gods" airborne SOF wins first place.<ref name="220.181.168.86">{{cite web |title=HOME-CCTVPLUS |url=http://220.181.168.86/NewJsp/news.jsp?fileId=305427 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701042345/http://220.181.168.86/NewJsp/news.jsp?fileId=305427 |archive-date=2016-07-01 |access-date=2016-06-05 |website=220.181.168.86}}</ref><ref name="english.chinamil.com.cn">{{cite web |last=Jianing |first=Yao |title=Chinese airborne troops win glory in int'l special forces competition |url=http://english.chinamil.com.cn/news-channels/china-military-news/2015-07/10/content_6581621.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305034959/http://english.chinamil.com.cn/news-channels/china-military-news/2015-07/10/content_6581621.htm |archive-date=2016-03-05 |access-date=2015-09-20 |website=english.chinamil.com.cn}}</ref>
* 2015 [[International Army Games]]: the "Thunder Gods" airborne SOF wins the "Airborne Platoon" competition.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |last=Yao |first=Jianing |title=Chinese team ranks first in first stage of Airborne Platoon competition |url=http://english.chinamil.com.cn/news-channels/china-military-news/2015-08/06/content_6617856.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111201300/http://english.chinamil.com.cn/news-channels/china-military-news/2015-08/06/content_6617856.htm |archive-date=2017-01-11 |access-date=2016-06-05 |website=english.chinamil.com.cn}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Army Special Operations Academy]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist|1}}

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |editor1-last=Horn |editor1-first=Bernd |editor2-last=Ilis-Alm |editor2-first=Hans |date=2024 |title=Force Multiplier: Utilization of SOF from a Small State Perspective |url=https://www.queensu.ca/cidp/sites/cidpwww/files/uploaded_files/Bk%2015%20-%20Force%20Multiplier.pdf |publisher=CANSOFCOM Education & Research Centre |isbn=978-0-660-69363-7 |access-date=2024-03-30 |archive-date=2024-03-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330041551/https://www.queensu.ca/cidp/sites/cidpwww/files/uploaded_files/Bk%2015%20-%20Force%20Multiplier.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite report |author=United States Department of Defense |title=Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2023 |date=October 2023 |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3561549/dod-releases-2023-report-on-military-and-security-developments-involving-the-pe/ |access-date=2024-03-30 |archive-date=2023-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028195417/https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3561549/dod-releases-2023-report-on-military-and-security-developments-involving-the-pe/ |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Chen |first1=John |last2=Wuthnow |first2=Joel |date=January 2022 |title=Chinese Special Operations in a Large-Scale Island Landing |url=https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cmsi-maritime-reports/18/ |series=CSMI China Maritime Report |number=18 |access-date=3 January 2023 |journal=Cmsi China Maritime Reports |archive-date=5 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805201534/https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cmsi-maritime-reports/18/ |url-status=live }}
{{refend}}

{{People's Liberation Army}}
{{Structure of People's Liberation Army Ground Force since 2017}}{{Chinese Special Operations Forces|state=}}

[[Category:Military units and formations of the People's Republic of China]]
[[Category:Special forces of the People's Republic of China| ]]