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A Report on Chinese Infiltration of the American Tactical Community
Zhang training PAP SWAT in Chongqing, PRC. Image from 2021.
Executive Summary
- Based on evidence from US and Chinese social media, Vermilion has identified that a Chinese special forces soldier received training from former U.S. special forces on American soil.
- Pengxiang “Chris” Zhang, a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldier lived, studied, and trained in the United States from at least 2014 to 2020.
- Since returning to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 2020, Zhang has trained People’s Armed Police (PAP) and PLA units on tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) he learned from former U.S. special operators and service members.
Zhang (left) in Phoenix, AZ. Image from April 2017.
March 10, 2017. Senior year art award. Confirmation of alias and school in the U.S.
Zhang entered the United States in 2013/2014 to attend the Carmel Christian School in Matthews, NC. This was likely facilitated by the Carmel Christian School International Student Program, a college preparatory program serving students in Grades 9-12.
Zhang (right) in Fuzhou, People’s Republic of China (PRC), Nov 2022. Note both individuals’ QBZ-191/192, the PLA’s next generation service rifle and carbine, respectively. Zhang’s rifle features a modified upper receiver, something typically only permitted for PLA special operations forces and PAP units. The caption for this image was “与时俱进，枕戈待旦 #taiwan #2025.” This roughly translates to “keep on improving, prepare for battle #taiwan #2025”.
After graduating in 2017, Zhang then moved to New York City. While in New York, Zhang traveled throughout the United States to Virginia Beach, VA; Fort Collins, CO; Navato, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Waxahachie, TX; and Las Vegas, NV in order to attend tactical training classes run by Ronin Tactics, Core Vision Training, and Dynamis Alliance.
Zhang (right) at a Ronin Tactics course in Fort Collins, CO in Dec 2018. Tu Lam (left) is a former U.S. Army special operator.
Dom Raso (left), a former Navy SEAL with Zhang in Dec 2018. Note that Virginia Beach, VA is home to Naval Intelligence and Norfolk, VA is home to the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Forces Command. Since 2018, Dom Raso has engaged with Zhang on social media.
Zhang at a range in Las Vegas, NV, March 2019.
Zhang (second to the right) at Extreme Tactics and Training Solutions in Waxahachie, TX in May 2019.
Zhang (rear left) at a Core Vision Training class in Los Angeles County, CA in Oct 2019. The course subject matter included close quarters battle (CQB). Core Vision Training courses are taught by U.S. Army and USMC veterans.
Zhang (left of center) with Tu Lam (left) at a Ronin Tactics CQB course in Novato, CA in Nov 2019.
Zhang at Extreme Tactics and Training Solutions in Waxahachie, TX in March 2020.
Zhang’s patch states, “We must liberate Taiwan,” in the style of a Chinese Communist Party propaganda image from the 1940’s/50’s. This image was taken the same time as the previous image.
In May 2020, Zhang left the United States and returned to China. According to his social media accounts, Zhang returned to the PLA Central Theater Command Headquarters located in Shijiazhuang, Hebei and he refers to the Shijiazhuang Army Command College (石家庄陆军指挥学院) as home. This college is an intermediate command college within the People’s Liberation Army National Defense University that provides joint training for military, political, and technical personnel.
From June 2020 to August 2022, Zhang posted training photos and videos with the PLA’s next generation weapon systems, namely the QBZ-191, QCQ-171, and QBU-203. From August 2022 on, Zhang posted photos and videos on social media of himself training Chinese SWAT teams throughout China and conducting CQB with PLA soldiers (likely PLA special operations forces). Based on the speed at which Zhang transitioned from student in the US, to small team training, to training units himself, it is almost certain that Zhang was a PLA soldier prior to entering the United States.
Zhang (identifiable through right forearm tattoo and right bicep tattoo) with the PLA’s new submachine gun, the QCQ-171. Also note the EOTech optic that is subject to US export controls.
Zhang (right) with a compact close circuit rebreather and another PLA soldier (left) with high altitude jump equipment. This equipment is typically only issued to PLA special operations forces.
In the above two images, the China South Industries Group Corporation (CSGC) utilized Zhang in advertising materials at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2022. The materials were promoting a new training system (that could possibly have been based on what Zhang learned in the United States). CSGC is one of China’s largest state-owned weapons manufacturers. Additionally, Zhang served as a representative for Argus Night Vision, a well known Chinese night vision tube and housing manufacturer. Argus improves its designs by selling their products to the US and then receiving feedback from American citizens on their products.
Zhang with a QJY-201, the PLA’s next generation general purpose machine gun. Image from Dec 2022.
Zhang (center right) with what is almost certainly the Falcon Commandos (猎鹰突击队) or the Snow Leopard Commandos (雪豹突击队). Both are People’s Armed Police (PAP) special forces units tasked with “counter-terrorism.” Image from February 2023.
Zhang training a PAP SWAT unit in Chongqing, PRC. Note his Ronin Tactics hat and his desert Marine pattern (MARPAT) trousers. Image from June 2023, similar images from 2021.
Zhang (far right) with a PAP SWAT team. Image from August 2023.
Based on the images uploaded by Zhang, it is highly likely he is currently a non-commissioned officer in either the PLA Strategic Support Force (SSF) special operations forces or other PLA SOF. Image from Nov 2023.
Why Does This Matter?
Is it almost certain that a PLA special forces operator was living and training on US soil for at least 7 years. He was able to avoid US law enforcement and bring training derived from the most elite American special operations forces back to China. The military balance between the U.S. and the PRC is of the utmost importance to American national security. It is often said that American military units are of superior quality to the People’s Liberation Army. This will cease to be the case if highly trained Americans erode their own military’s fighting edge.Recommendations
- Continue thoroughly vetting all Chinese international students in the United States for any military background and/or military associations.
- The American tactical industry/community must come together and police their own. Doing business with the PLA is self-defeating.
