Dec 19, 2013

Former soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school, charging 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector, as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance.

: Bodyguards Han and Wang, who were hired from Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant, watch their employer Zhang and his wife play with their three-year-old son as they guard the family on the outskirts of Beijing December 14, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. Picture taken December 14, 2013. (REUTERS/Jason Lee)

: Bodyguard Han, who was hired from Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant, helps his employers to prepare dinner on the outskirts of Beijing December 12, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 12, 2013)

: Bodyguard Han, who was hired from Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant, checks his earphone as his employer Zhang prepares to leave home on the outskirts of Beijing December 15, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 15, 2013)

: Students at Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant sing during a group dinner on the outskirts of Beijing December 14, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 14, 2013)

: A female trainee lies on the ground after being drenched with water during Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant training on the outskirts of Beijing December 1, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 1, 2013)

: A trainee reacts as he is drenched with water during Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant training on the outskirts of Beijing December 1, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/A trainee reacts as he is drenched with water during Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant training on the outskirts of Beijing December 1, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 1, 2013)

: Chen Yongqing, the owner of Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant gestures during a group dinner with his students on the outskirts of Beijing December 14, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 14, 2013)

: Student Ding Kun stands guard in a villa during field training for Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant on the outskirts of Beijing December 12, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 12, 2013)

: Students hold each other for warmth as they sleep during a break in between high intensity training at Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant camp on the outskirts of Beijing December 1, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 1, 2013)

: Students carry a tree trunk over their heads during high intensity training at Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant camp on the outskirts of Beijing December 1, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 1, 2013)

: A female student opens her cufflinks with her teeth, after crawling through mud at Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant camp on the outskirts of Beijing December 12, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 12, 2013)

: Blood congeals on a student’s finger during training at Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant camp on the outskirts of Beijing December 1, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 1, 2013)

: Instructors kick a trainee because he wants to give up during high intensity training at Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant camp on the outskirts of Beijing December 1, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 1, 2013)

: Students carry a female trainee who has fallen into a stupor during high intensity training at Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant camp on the outskirts of Beijing December 1, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 1, 2013)

: A student reacts as he crawls on the ground during Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant training on the outskirts of Beijing December 1, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 1, 2013)

: Blood drips from a student’s nose as he takes part in a long-distance run during Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant training on the outskirts of Beijing December 1, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 1, 2013)

: Trainees hold replica 95 semi-automatic rifles as they take part in Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant training on the outskirts of Beijing December 11, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 11, 2013)

: Students take part in training at a field managed by the military during Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant training on the outskirts of Beijing December 14, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 14, 2013)

: Students practice protecting employers at a shooting training field managed by the military during Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant training on the outskirts of Beijing December 14, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee)

: Students holding replica 95 semi-automatic rifles practice protecting their employers at a shooting training field managed by the military during Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant training on the outskirts of Beijing December 14, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 14, 2013)

: Students holding replica 95 semi-automatic rifles practice protecting their employers at a shooting training field managed by the military during Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant training on the outskirts of Beijing December 14, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 14, 2013)

: Trainees practice helping their employer escape into a car at a shooting training field managed by the military during the Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant training on the outskirts of Beijing December 14, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 14, 2013)

: Students run over the bodies of fellow trainees at the Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant training camp on the outskirts of Beijing December 11, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 11, 2013)

: An instructor hits a trainee with a replica 95 semi-automatic rifle during training at the Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant training camp on the outskirts of Beijing December 11, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 11, 2013)

: A student aims a replica 95 semi-automatic rifle during training at the Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant training camp on the outskirts of Beijing December 11, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 11, 2013)

: Trainees point replica pistols as they take part in a training session at the Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant training camp on the outskirts of Beijing, December 11, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China’s rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/December 11, 2013)

By Jason Lee and Ben Blanchard
Reuters

Chen Youngqing’s company Tianjiao, which he says is China’s first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as bodyguards, is doing so well that he is considering a stock market listing.

“When we started our business, most of our clients were celebrities,” Chen, 30, told Reuters. “Most of our clients now are rich entrepreneurs. It’s all related to their business because I think bodyguards are also a status symbol.”

China’s newly wealthy are not generally targeted by criminals and kidnappers – as happens in countries such as Venezuela – but anger is growing about the widening gap between rich and poor.

There have been isolated incidents of people attacking luxury cars involved in accidents with less well-off citizens.

Tianjiao has hired trainers from Israel and Russia, and is looking to France and Britain as well, Chen said, although the company also works closely with the Chinese military.

“We provide a better platform for retired soldiers, of whom there are thousands every year, so they can get a better job. It would be a waste of talent if these soldiers work as security guards for 2,000 yuan a month,” he said.

“Also if they commit crimes and do bad things, it would be a terrible thing for society. But getting high-end training with us and getting a job as a bodyguard is much better, so the army is very grateful for this kind of arrangement we offer.”

Chen’s clients certainly seem happy with the bodyguards his company trains.

One businessman, who asked to be identified only by his family name Zhang, said he approached Chen after a friend was kidnapped and killed. Zhang now employs 18 bodyguards hired from Tianjiao.

“Apart from the security in my company, they are also responsible for the safety of my family,” Zhang said. “Society is not stable nowadays.”

Chen expects Tianjiao’s annual revenues to hit 100 million yuan ($16.5 million) within the next five years.

“We are planning to collaborate with investors and venture capital firms for a company listing,” he said.

China’s bodyguard school

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