Largest-ever mobilization of troops sees 50,000 move across nation

China's army is on the move - not merely in terms of the changes it is going through as its adapts to meet modern challenges, but quite literally too.

Yesterday, 50,000 troops were moving at the start of the army's largest-ever tactical event, in which they will be mobilized and transported vast distances across the nation.

With air force cover, an infantry section from Northwest China set out on the first day of the exercise on a journey that will take it across five provinces in 13 days before the troops reach Northeast China.