Chinese army to hire civilian cooks, drivers, typists for first time

China's military will start to replace armymen with civilians on the logistics posts as cooks, drivers, and typists, in a move to streamline the military and enhance the attacking force.

Corp-level units or above in the People's Liberation Army (PLA), excluding the combating forces, this year should begin to recruit civilians on logistics posts, opening the once sealed-off military to society, a source with PLA headquarters said here Thursday.

At present, a large number of soldiers are taking up jobs as cooks, drivers, typists, radio announcers, telephone operators, and repairmen in the Chinese army and military organizations.

"The move will cut off a large proportion of military personnel, and put soldiers to enhance the attacking force," said an official with the headquarters who asked not to be named.

He said employees of the military will be recruited through the army's job market or after being recommended by military personnel.

"However, the requirements were strict," he said.

The applicants should be under 35 years old, with good health and an education background of secondary school or above, and all of them should pass a strict political appraisal and related skill exams, the source said.

He added that a strong sense of responsibility, devotion, and self-discipline is a plus.

Military veterans who used to work in military logistics can also apply, and they are preferred on the same conditions as others, the source said.

Source: Xinhua