The military training for the freshmen of the academic year 2017-18 began at the Sias Track & Field Stadium on September 4. Over 7,600 freshmen were present for the ceremony that marked the start of their military training.

The Sias leadership was present at the ceremony, including Sias Party Secretary, Fei Hexiang, Sias President, Dr. Chen Sikun, Executive Vice President, Dong Qiming, Vice President, Liu Shuqin, Deputy Party Secretary, Li Huafeng, Proctor Han Xiaoai, and Assistant Principals, Sun Rujian, and Guo Xuede. Also present was the Head of the 2017 Freshman Military Training Corps, Hu Jiangtao.

The ceremony began with the playing of the national anthem of China. Deputy Director of the Academic Affairs Office, Ding Gongci, who presided over the opening ceremony, introduced the guests and spoke of the value and reason for establishing military training in universities. Sias President, Dr. Chen Sikun, welcomed the PLA officers and encouraged the freshmen in their training. Party Secretary, Fei Hexiang, spoke of the duty of students with regard to patriotism, and social responsibility. Head of the 2017 Freshman Military Training Corps, Hu Jiangtao, explained the stages of military training. He said that he hoped that students would hold on to the discipline and hard work that they were going to learn.