In China, Xi Jinping reactivates the “militias” of the Mao era. “Militiamen” armed with riot shields trained for three days to subdue imaginary demonstrators.
Also on the program is the use of mine-clearing, fire-fighting and flood-fighting equipment. This illustrates the large-scale revival of popular ‘militia’ dating from the Maoist era. In a depressed geopolitical and economic climate, the leader is recruiting the population for possible conflict.