Nation to recruit more college students in military conscription ( 2003-10-31 11:06) (Xinhua)
China plans to recruit more
college students from a larger range of universities in this year's military
conscription, which will begin on Nov. 1, according to the recruiting office
under the Defense Ministry.
To absorb college students into the army is an important measure to improve
the cultural quality of the soldiers and optimize the structure of the army,
said the head of recruitment Thursday.
Without highly-qualified soldiers, it is hard to improve the army's battle
effectiveness, promote military reform with Chinese characteristics and realize
the army's modernization.
The recruited college students can continue to enjoy preferential treatments
prescribed in the documents issued in 2001 and 2002 by the related departments,
according to the office.
The special treatments include being able to rearrange their school work,
reducing or waiving the tuition fees, and enjoying priority in employment when
they complete their service.
The would-be college soldiers were encouraged to serve in military units
possessing complicated specialties and demanding high-level cultural quality, so
as to bring their advantages into play, said the head.
The well-performing college soldiers can also be preferentially considered in
studying technology, promotion, and applying to enter military colleges.
The college soldiers who finish their service will be selected as military
students with top-priority when they study at school or will join a contingent
of military cadres after their graduation.
China began to recruit college students in 2001. By the end of 2002, there
were about 3,000 college students, including some 300 females, serving in the
army.