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former Chinese secret-service members, and furthermore, that there has also been a large number of wealthy Chinese who are turning to female bodyguards in a measure of protection. Watson recalls a local executive, who had received threats that his child would be kidnapped, hired a female bodyguard to escort his child to and from school. He says that employers of bodyguards in China are successful people like senior executives of foreign or private businesses, as well as entertainers and a growing number of entrepreneurs. Watson states that like anywhere in the world, there are those who are jealous of, or simply hate the rich and successful for their lavish and enjoyable lifestyle. He says that there are bodyguard training programs designed for females advertised at martial arts schools where the training curriculum includes instruction in driving, computer skills, self-defense related laws and ‘polite conversation’. The teachers at these schools are veteran martial artists, former Special-Forces soldiers and operational bodyguards. Female bodyguards are becoming more and more popular as businessmen want them to protect wives, girlfriends and children. A female bodyguard from Watson’s team said that woman in China today are more confident in venturing into careers that in years gone past, would have been forbidden or perceived as male dominated. He says that there has also been a growing demand for private bodyguards being hired by Taiwanese pop singers and prominent entertainers when visiting mainland China. When asked who makes the best bodyguard, he is quick to note that the Chinese have long prized Manchurian bodyguards for their physical size, loyalty and bravery, and female bodyguards have many advantages of their own. Furthermore, many bodyguard training programs place a large emphasis on fitness and physical exercise and often the bodyguard will double as a coach in fitness training for their ‘bosses’. Many former career military and police officers turned entrepreneur have identified the specialist market of private security and its success in western society and have now turned their focus on China. More than just a decade ago the industry didn’t legally exist. Although there have been several security firms who have received China’s Ministry of State approval to do business if their founders have at least five years of security experience, the employment of personal bodyguards in China is still a grey area as far as the law goes and there are no laws yet in China completely governing the industry. Watson said that the word ‘bodyguard’ has had a very negative image in China and because of the lack of legal clarity surrounding the private bodyguards, it means that their work is often described as ‘personal assistant’ or ‘advisor’ and their multi-functions are also reflected in the job description. Some firms have also resorted to calling their bodyguard firm a ‘business etiquette’ firm, although of late, the Ministry of State insists that the word ‘security consultant’ be used to avoid comparisons with the bodyguard image in America and other western nations. Many lawyers believe that what is not specifically forbidden by law should be legal, however, Government officials claim that no firm can legally be registered as a private bodyguard service. There have been a number of
‘...the Chinese have long prized Manchurian bodyguards for their physical size, loyalty and bravery, and female bodyguards have many advantages of their own. Furthermore, many bodyguard training programs place a large emphasis on fitness and physical exercise and often the bodyguard will double as a coach in fitness training for their ‘bosses’.’ occasions where firms have been shut down by the Public Security Bureau. Watson states that as far back as the early 1990s there was a special course in Wuhan, Central China, which offered young women the opportunity to train as bodyguards. In 1999, he was invited to teach at the Dalian Peoples Police College where he witnessed firsthand a large number of young, fit and attractive females being trained as bodyguards by a specialist unit within the police. These ladies had been trained in all aspects of body guarding including firearms and Chinese martial arts. An example of the popularity of females attending these programs was highlighted in a Chinese media report which stated that the Wuhan College of Physical Education received 3,000 enquiries when it first announced that it would begin offering a six month training program to teach women how to become bodyguards. The report stated that of that number, more than 700 women formally applied and 150 were accepted. Part II of this article will feature in our next issue Aug/ Sep 2014. About the Author Paul Johnstone is a former Federal Agent with the Australian Federal Police and a former Soldier with the Australian Army. Paul has performed a number of specialist protective security intelligence and counter-terrorism roles during his combined 25 years of service and is a Government accredited Instructor in a number of specialist fields. Paul has been formally recognised by the Governments of the United Kingdom, Bosnia and Herzegovina for outstanding police investigations pertaining to complex fraud and war crimes and he has lectured and trained law enforcement, security and military personnel throughout Australia, Peoples Republic of China, Afghanistan and the Pacific Rim. Paul is the founder and principal director of Defensive Measures International which is a consultancy firm offering specialist services throughout Australia, Peoples Republic of China, India and the Asia Pacific
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