When combined, 特警 (tèjǐng) literally translates to “Special Police,” a direct and accurate description of their function as an elite unit within the broader police force.
In China, the 特警 are a highly visible symbol of the state's capacity to maintain order and respond to severe threats. They are part of the People's Police (人民警察) system under the Ministry of Public Security (公安部). Their presence at major public events, like the Beijing Olympics or national conferences, is meant to be a powerful deterrent and a reassurance of public safety. The closest Western equivalent is a SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team. Both are:
A key difference lies in the broader security landscape in China. The 特警 (tèjǐng) often work in parallel with units from the People's Armed Police (武警, wǔjǐng), a separate paramilitary force responsible for internal security. While their roles can overlap (especially in counter-terrorism and riot control), 特警 are fundamentally civil police officers under local Public Security Bureaus, whereas 武警 are a national gendarmerie force. For a learner, the simplest distinction is that 特警 are “super-cops,” while 武警 are closer to soldiers performing police duties.
The term 特警 (tèjǐng) is used in formal and serious contexts. You will encounter it most often in:
It is not a term used in casual, everyday conversation unless you are specifically discussing a news story or a movie. The connotation is always serious, professional, and authoritative.