China issues new requirements for military officer candidates

New recruits join the PLA (Photo: People's Daily).

New physical standards will apply to all candidates who want to become officers in the People's Liberation Army (PLA), according to China Central Television (CCTV).

The content clearly states that candidates for military service, including non-combat positions, will be disqualified if they cannot bear the sight of blood.

The new standards will apply to all candidates who want to become officers, whether they are soldiers seeking promotion or recent college graduates who want to join the military.

The latest physical standards were released as the PLA pushes ahead with its mission to modernize by 2035 and become a world-class military power by 2049. The Chinese military is also refocusing on its Research and Development (R&D) strategy.

China's Defense Ministry said adding new combat forces and stepping up recruitment of technical and professional personnel requires the military to put in place necessary physical and mental requirements.

"We need to optimize and adjust the selection and physical examination standards taking into account the current physical fitness of young men of military age and the specific needs of different positions in the armed forces," an official from China's Central Military Commission ( CMC ), the body responsible for drafting the new standards, was quoted as saying by the PLA Daily .

According to this official, from the general standards, the Chinese military will scientifically come up with additional standards based on actual work data. The general standards include surgery, internal medicine, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, dentistry, gynecology, psychology, radiology and laboratory testing. From the general standards, the Chinese military will come up with additional standards.

The official said physical standards such as height, weight and eyesight could be relaxed for members deemed “urgently needed to prepare for combat” or non-combat personnel with “high levels” and “special expertise.”

The PLA's advanced weapons and equipment, as well as advances in medical technology, mean these conditions are now considered "not to affect military operations," according to the CMC official.

While optimizing the general physical criteria for all candidates, the new regulations also include additional details on specific requirements for positions in armored vehicle units, special combat forces, and aviation and maritime operations.

General standards for non-combatants based on age, gender and nature of work were also relaxed, while stricter new criteria were set for administrators and technical specialists.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/trung-quoc-ban-hanh-yeu-cau-moi-doi-voi-ung-vien-si-quan-quan-doi-20230402123054379.htm