A major military base of the Chinese army in south China will offer 1,046 logistical posts to civilians in the next two years, in line with a national reform to streamline the army by cutting non-combative forces.

Civilian employees will account for one fifth of the logistical personnel, said a publicity official with Guangzhou Military Area Command of People's Liberation Army (PLA).

The move will shore up the shortage of highly skilled technical personnel in the military. China's army has long been sealed off from the outside world and its soldiers have struggled to get to grips with the new technology, he said.

The posts, all in non-combative sectors such as training, research, medical care and health, are only open to university and college graduates with good health condition and "a political belief required for Chinese soldiers", the source said.

All sectors should hire their employees by applying fair market rules without any under-the-desk deals, the official said, adding that the employees, once hired, will get intensive military, political and speciality trainings.

The Chinese military will start replacing soldiers with civilians as cooks, clerks, repairmen and medical personnel this year, so as to streamline the non-combative forces and to transfer soldiers to the combative section.

Source: Xinhua