In February 2004, the People’s Armed Police (PAP) sent a six-man team to Iraq to protect the Chinese diplomats there. This was the first time that the PRC deploys its military personnel in a foreign country for diplomatic protection mission. These PAP personnel were stationed in the Chinese embassy in Baghdad, and serve as bodyguards for the Chinese ambassador when travelling.
On 7 December 2006, the PRC Government sent a second special team to Afghanistan. Also consisting of six men, the team is responsible for the protection of Chinese diplomats in the Chinese embassy in Kabul.
According to the Chinese reports, members of these teams were selected from the 13th Detachment (“Special Duty Detachment”) of the PAP Beijing General Corps. They are specialised in small arms tactics, martial art, checmical defence, and bomb disposal.
PAP guards in Baghdad, Iraq (Source: Chinese Internet)
