PLA' s women in rescue operations in Sichuan

Many female soldiers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have also been involved in the real and physical works of the rescue and relief operations in the quake-hit province of Sichuan in southwest China. Ever since the inauguration of the PLA as a workers' and peasants' guerrilla force in Nanchang in 1927, it has always open to women's involvement and participation in all its functions, including combats. Many also joined the 25,000-li Long March (1934-1936) and survived.

Survivors of quake in Sichuan thank rescuers