Over 2 lakh Chinese college students apply to join military

The Chinese military's efforts to attract more graduates have been successful as over two lakh college students have applied to join the People's Liberation Army (PLA), authorities said today.
The PLA, which is rapidly modernising, wants more graduates to meet its technical requirements. The new figures on applications from students were released by the Ministry of Education.
China has introduced policies to encourage college students to join the army, such as exempting tuition fees, allowing them to retain student status for two years after leaving the army, and promoting outstanding students to military officers.
College students can enjoy bonus points in school entrance exams after leaving the military, an official statement said.

According to the Ministry of National Defense, college graduates or postgraduates under 24 are eligible to apply online.
This year's military recruitment will run from August 1 to September 30, the first time the season was moved from October to coincide with the graduation season.

Students can enjoy tax reductions if they start their own business after retirement from the military. They will be preferred when it comes to the recruitment civil servants, selection of township cadres and employment in state-owned enterprises.
The government of eastern Fujian Province said in future, 10 per cent of government posts and 15 per cent of jobs at state-owned companies will be reserved for servicemen after they finish their time in the military.

The central Hubei Province will give 20,000 yuan (USD 3,225) to new military recruits who have graduated from local universities and double the resettlement subsidies when they leave the military.