Outlook Weekly lauded the PLA’s involvement in the Olympics, stating it reflected the army’s complete loyalty under the absolute leadership of the Party. The article states that it demonstrated the high quality of the forces, the successful collaboration with all levels of government entities, and the importance of the critical role played by the Party committees within the PLA.
A total of 300,000 PLA and armed police assisted with the Beijing Olympics since 2004, out of which, 179,000 of them were actively involved during the games.
Source: Outlook Weekly, 14th Edition, 2009
http://www.outlookweekly.cn/htm/content_4566.htm