Minifigure – a soldier of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) from the era of the Sino-Vietnamese War 4 (LEGO Compatible)

This image displays a toy minifigure representing a Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) sniper from the era of the Sino-Vietnamese War (1979) and the subsequent border conflicts of the 1980s. The Chinese text “南疆卫士” (Nán Jiāng Wèishì) translates to “Southern Border Defender.”

The figure is depicted in a PLA camouflage uniform, which became more common during the later stages of the border clashes. He wears an olive-green combat helmet featuring the red star insignia. Over his camouflage tunic, he wears a Type 81 chest rig, designed to carry ammunition magazines. A blue V-neck collar is visible under the tunic.

His specialist role as a sniper is clearly indicated by his weapon: a toy replica of the Type 79 sniper rifle. This was the Chinese version of the Soviet SVD Dragunov, a semi-automatic rifle equipped with a telescopic sight and a bipod, which served as the standard designated marksman rifle for the PLA during this period.

An alternative headwear piece is shown in the inset: an olive-green soft field cap (sometimes called a liberation cap), also bearing the red star insignia.

Historical Background: This figure represents a specialist soldier who fought in the intense border war between China and Vietnam. Snipers played a significant role in the often static, trench-like warfare that characterized parts of this conflict in the mountainous and jungle terrain along China’s southern border (“Nan Jiang”). The adoption of camouflage uniforms and specialized equipment like the Type 79 sniper rifle reflected the PLA’s adaptation to the demands of modern infantry combat experienced during these clashes.