A formation of 55 female honor guards of the People's Liberation Army make its debut during a welcoming ceremony in Beijing on Wednesday. Instead of standing in a formation with the male honor guards, the event was the first time that the female guards appeared as an independent formation. [Photo: Xinhua]

A formation of 55 female honor guards of the People's Liberation Army make its debut during a welcoming ceremony in Beijing on Wednesday. Instead of standing in a formation with the male honor guards, the event was the first time that the female guards appeared as an independent formation. [Photo: Xinhua]

A formation of 55 female honor guards of the People's Liberation Army make its debut during a welcoming ceremony in Beijing on Wednesday. Instead of standing in a formation with the male honor guards, the event was the first time that the female guards appeared as an independent formation. [Photo: Xinhua]

A formation of 55 female honor guards of the People's Liberation Army make its debut during a welcoming ceremony in Beijing on Wednesday. Instead of standing in a formation with the male honor guards, the event was the first time that the female guards appeared as an independent formation. [Photo: Xinhua]