Girl meets world

"In each special training camp, female trainees have to undergo strict screening, and eventually only 20 percent of them can become bodyguards," Zhang says. "As long as female bodyguards train and fight hard, they are not inferior to male bodyguards. Despite the gender differences, their employment rate is much higher than that of male bodyguards."

Good physical fitness and close-quarter combat skills are not the most important criteria for a good bodyguard. These are just the most basic conditions. Personal bodyguards who meet these basic requirements are also divided into three levels according to other requirements: junior bodyguards can drive and proficient in anti-tracking and fighting skills; intermediate bodyguards understand official documents, can handle business activities, and know computers; advanced private bodyguards must understand foreign languages, and even make safety plans and organize customized trips.