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Journalism of Courage
The fliers circulating last month on the campuses of China8217;s most prestigious universities showed three soldiers positioned against a Chinese flag and an appeal that read in part: 8220;Carry Your Pen to the Army to Become More Accomplished.8221;
In ancient times, the phrase was 8220;Throw Away Your Pen and Join the Army8221;, a challenge to China8217;s intellectuals to help defend the country. Now, the People8217;s Liberation Army is recruiting college students in an ambitious modernisation programme designed to attract soldiers who can handle sophisticated equipment and transform the 2.3 million-strong force into a high-tech adversary.
While China8217;s rising diplomatic power has helped fuel a desire for a more professional army, military commanders also need highly educated soldiers to maintain the 8220;information-based8221; military power that has become increasingly important, both internationally and as a means to dissuade Taiwan from declaring independence.
Domestically, the army has come a long way. A military that 18 years ago was most readily associated with the shooting of protesters in Tiananmen Square is increasingly helping in relief efforts. The army has also been the driving force behind recent achievements in space exploration.
In August, President Hu Jintao called for accelerated modernisation of weapons and equipment, enhanced personnel training and strengthening of combat capabilities through technology.
One of the most important aspects of modernisation is a huge effort to shed the impoverished farmhands, who have traditionally signed on as a way to ensure three solid meals a day. The once-bloated force had 4.2 million people two decades ago, but has gradually reduced its infantry. It has, however, increased the number of personnel who serve in the navy, air force and Second Artillery Corps, which maintains China8217;s nuclear missiles.
The army now advertises itself as an opportunity for young people to acquire technical skills and experience not easily attained in the private sector. This year, for the first time, the army took out full-page advertisements in newspapers. The ads featured an astronaut, a naval college professor and Peking University8217;s first recruit since its students began signing up in 2005.
Six years ago, 26 universities produced roughly 1,400 army recruits through a special Government programme. This year, the programme has grown to include 110 universities, and officials hope to recruit 11,000 students, including some majoring in philosophy, law and medicine.
8220;Compared with the private sector, army salaries are not very high. But in recent years, the army has increased salaries for soldiers and officers,8221; said Li Shengqiang, an officer at the army8217;s Beijing Recruitment Office. 8220;Because the army is trying to equip itself with advanced weapons and equipment, the quality and knowledge of soldiers has become correspondingly higher.8221;
Recruits are lured by financial incentives and programmes that allow students to return to university after two years in the army with preferential standing for graduate school. Officials have introduced psychological tests to weed out unsuitable candidates and imposed penalties for applicants who bribe their way through. Also this year, for the first time candidates who want to be air force pilots must pass a language test in English or Russian.
Undergraduates from outside Beijing may be offered Beijing residency, an important perk, in exchange for two years of service, according to a new policy now under discussion, said another recruitment official.
