The revised regulations on military recruitment will take effect on 1 May this year at national, provincial, municipal, and county levels. The 74 articles and 11 chapters will serve as basic regulation for China’s military recruitment under law.

PRC Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Tan Kefei said the recruitment process will follow strategic requirements outlined by President Xi Jinping, during a media conference regarding the changes on 14 April.

“College students are the key targets, with priority given to college graduates and those meeting the special requirements on political background, physical conditions, expertise, and skills,” he said.

“Qualified veterans can be re-enlisted and given priority for positions in their former troops or for other similar positions.

“The procedures of physical examination and political assessment are improved. Preliminary results from physical examinations, wherever they are taken, will be recognised nationwide, and the candidates’ political integrity and performance will be a key indicator of assessment.

“Efforts are made to step up the overall support for military recruitment, advance IT application in the recruitment work, and put into place a system of insurance and support for the applicants.”

Additional revised regulations include a focus on transfers where recruits can report to units themselves or be sent by relevant authorities. Returned recruits will also have more focus placed on addressing their concerns about the impact of being returned home.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.