From 1st May, China began implementing the new “conscription work regulations”, including re-enlisting retired soldiers and recruiting professional college students who have received high-tech training to prepare for war. Xi Jinping’s new conscription system focuses on recruiting high-quality soldiers and implementing the “Reserve Service Personnel Act” to deal with domestic conflicts.
Regarding increasing the source of troops, the new regulations require that male citizens who have reached the age of 18 be registered for military service and retired soldiers, if they are voluntary and meet the conditions, can be approved to re-enlist, and priority will be given to arranging them to the original service unit, or the same type of post service.
The newly revised “Conscription Regulations” not only emphasise the recruitment of high-quality soldiers but also focus on recruiting college students. “Nikkei Asia” reported that China’s newly revised conscription regulations focus on recruiting students who are proficient in artificial intelligence, high technology and engineering so that they can operate weapons on fighter planes and warships and for satellites, space, and prepare for new types of warfare such as cyber, drones, information warfare, and intelligence warfare.
In the first half of last year, China focused on encouraging college students to join the army. Propaganda to encourage college and graduate students to join the army continued to appear on the market, claiming that those with science and engineering majors and those with skills related to preparing for and fighting wars were prioritised in being approved to join the army.
Speaking on Radio Free Asia, Beijing political commentator Kai Bo said that he believes China’s vigorous promotion of conscription is not for immediate war but for the need to prepare for war. He said further that the Chinese Communist Army has learned the lessons of Russia’s hard-fought war in the Russo-Ukraine War. The traditional conscription model of recruiting troops from rural areas and high school students is not enough to meet the needs of modern warfare. Therefore, the authorities hope to use nationalism to attract young people with higher education levels to join the army.
The recent establishment of “National Defense Mobilization Offices” in many provinces and cities is part of long-term military preparations. Since December last year, Beijing, Shanghai, Shandong, Fujian, Hunan and other important provinces and cities have held the “National Defense Mobilization Office” unveiling ceremony.
On 1st March, China implemented the “Reserve Personnel Law”, replacing the “Reserve Officer Law” implemented in 1996. Compared with the old law, the new law adds ideological terms to the general provisions, such as “implement Xi Jinping’s thought on strengthening the army”, “reservists must obey orders, strictly observe discipline, and not be afraid of sacrifice,” and so on. An important source of troop replenishment” “must always be ready to call into battle”.
In addition, the new “Reserve Personnel Law” also devoted a chapter to explaining the recruitment rules, stating that “after the state issues a mobilisation order, or the State Council and the Central Military Commission take necessary national defence mobilisation measures in accordance with the law, the troops shall, according to the orders of their superiors. Quickly issue a call-up notice to the reservists, and after receiving the notice, the reservists must report to the designated place within the specified time as required.
Voice of America quoted analysts familiar with the Communist Party’s military trends, pointing out that regardless of whether a war occurs, China does not need a larger army. The reserve service would serve as a means of controlling domestic veterans and preparing for the possible implementation of military control.