The Snow Leopard Commando unit, the crack force of the People's Armed Police Force (PAPF), made their debut Thursday onboard 08 wheeled armored vehicles, the only kind in Thursday's parade covered with urban camouflage.

The Chinese SWAT, officially named the Special Brigade of the PAPF Beijing Corps, was established in 2002 and named by the Central Military Commission (CMC), is a crack emergency force to handle emergency and terrorist threats and maintain stability.

The special brigade carried out security work during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. It also took part in several national anti-terrorism drills and the 2007 Sino-Russian anti-terrorism exercise.

The brigade has been praised for dealing with emergencies, fighting violent crimes and safeguarding important events.

(Xinhua News Agency October 1, 2009)