Veteran Chinese soldier sets up new security firm

Fu Chen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province on January 3, 2018. [File Photo: Chengdu Economic Daily-dfic/Wang Xiao]

A Chinese soldier who served in the French Foreign Legion has launched a recruitment drive to create an all-Chinese crew to serve as security for overseas Chinese companies, reports the Chengdu Economic Daily. 

35-year-old Fu Chen served in the infantry in the French Foreign Legion from 2010 to 2015. 

Among his assignments was a 4-month tour of Mali after the military coup destabilized the western African country in 2013, allowing al-Qaeda and its tribal allies to take over the northern half of the country in the Sahel.

Wrapping up his service with the French Foreign Legion, Fu Chen has now registered a security company in his native Tianjin.

He's already been able to recruit a number of Chinese military veterans from Sichuan.

He says he plans to conduct a series of training courses in Poland for his recruits, with a focus on risk prevention.