Chinese soldiers have their own say in army management

In contrast to the army stereotype of "obedience" and "strictness", the People's Liberation Army of China is encouraging its soldiers to have their own say in the army's daily operations and military training.

"I realized that the soldier plays a major role in building the army from the moment I started my service here," said 19-year-old Zhang Tao, who serves as an artilleryman in the Nanjing Military Area Command of the People's Liberation Army in East China.

China is exercising the people-oriented management idea, highlighting the soldier's role in the development of the army.

Whatever rank, a soldier can freely express his ideas or demands to his superior, who is required to respond.

Zhang's troop used to have just half an hour for breakfast and a toilet break. When Zhang proposed to extend breakfast time to fifty minutes his request was granted.

"Almost every member in my company has submitted requirements, and nearly all proper applications have been addressed," said Liu Bing, another soldier in the brigade.

A month ago, Liu was chatting with his girlfriend in the telephone room but had to break off when one of his companions rushed in unexpectedly.

"At that moment, I wanted my privacy to be protected," Liu said. He emailed his brigadier to ask him to fit bolts on their phone rooms. To his surprise, the commissioner settled it the very next day.

Lu Qingtong, the brigade commissioner, said, "Through respect, we can exploit the soldiers' creativity and dig out their potential."

The Howitzer Battalion of the Command set up an "exposure board" a year ago, publicizing photos of improper deeds its members had done in daily life.

"The board was like a centrifugal machine, drawing us away from our organization," said Wu Zhigang, a soldier with the battlion, "When we saw people with cameras, we were afraid of being 'shot'."

Wu and his army companions therefore proposed to remove the board.

Hearing their explanations, the brigadier said, "We set up that board only for the purpose of strict management, but never thought it might hurt the soldiers' dignity." He then abolished the practice.

With this encouragement, the soldiers felt able to make suggestions, on many aspects of their daily life, including military training, political education and daily management. Six soldiers were even awarded the title of "Best Advisor".

"We feel we are the master here, so we act like a master and are willing to take responsibilities as a master should," said Zhang Tao.

Source: Xinhua