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The People's Armed Police
by SolPo
The FUNCTIONS OF PAP
Equipment
In addition, after 1989 the PAP was equipped to face demonstrations. Local governments and Party committees provided a special budget allocation to equip the mobile units with bulletproof vests and shields as well as non-lethal weapons such as tear gas bombs, rubber bullets, water cannons and electric rods. They also purchased cars and motorcycles, as well as communication equipment. The CMC authorized the deployment of a military airship for surveillance which can travel at 80 km per hour. It was first used during the funeral ceremony of Chen Yun (陳雲) in April 1995, and has been reported particularly useful in spotting early signs of "trouble," such as the large gatherings of students in the college district of northwest Beijing.
The PAP has also inherited weapons from the PLA. In a 1995 drill in Xinjiang, PAP troops standing on a hill assembled 11 sets of 82 mm non-recoil artillery and mortars, and bombarded a target platform occupied by "criminals." Such drills may be done in view of any possible confrontation between the PAP and a "separatist group" in minority areas. However, according to the regulations on the PAP's use of weapons passed in January 1996, the PAP's mission is to deter illegal and criminal activities and, in doing so, avoid the injury of citizens and prevent the damage of property.
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