BEIJING -- China on Monday enacted revisions to its military service law that will allow retired military personnel to be reenlisted to secure experienced soldiers. The law also focuses on recruiting tech-savvy science and engineering students to prepare for warfare in new domains such as space and cyber, as the country tries to build its military strength to prepare for possible all-out war in the Taiwan Strait.
The State Council and the Central Military Commission, the Chinese military's top decision-making body, approved the revised regulations on conscription, based on the Military Service Law. "We will build a military draft system that can respond, from peacetime to emergencies, swiftly and seamlessly," Tan Kefei, a spokesman at the Chinese defense ministry, said.
One change will make it easier for retired soldiers to return to their old units or perform previous duties. The Chinese military, which has nearly 2 million members, limits enlistment periods. The new provisions stipulate that retired soldiers can rejoin the military to help it secure experienced personnel.
Another provision makes it easier for the military to draft people in case of an emergency. This allows the government to adjust the conditions and method of conscription, depending on the types of personnel required, and enables the supply transportation corps to prioritize the transport of military forces for swift deployments.
The changes reflect Beijing's concerns about a possible conflict over Taiwan. A total land, sea and air war could require China to mobilize retired military personnel, as well as active-duty soldiers. Among others, experienced crew who can operate weapons and sonars on warships and fighter pilots are particularly valuable, as training new, highly skilled people takes time.
China has built up its military capabilities in recent years, especially on land and sea. The military has expanded its fleet of amphibious assault ships, submarines and bombers, and launched its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, in June last year. Operating this new equipment will require more skilled personnel.
Another focus of the amended law is college students. The law allows universities to handle the task of drafting students. Universities can draft students at the site of their family registers or where the schools are located.
The revised law aims to bring in science and engineering students trained in high tech, such as artificial intelligence and robotics. Warfare using space satellites, cyber and drones are particular areas of concern. The Chinese military is also focusing on research into "intelligence warfare" that makes use of AI and other technology.
President Xi Jinping's hopes to build a strong Chinese military hinge on gaining access to skilled people. The Qiushi Journal, the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee's theoretical publication, stressed the need to secure personnel to strengthen the military. The journal also said the country needs to train professional military personnel who have high ethics and talent.
The number of enlistees in the military has been declining due to China's dwindling, aging population. Last year the country's population fell, year on year, for the first time in 61 years. Parents in cities, in particular, are reluctant to send their children into the military, work that is seen as dangerous, as China promoted a one-child policy for more than three decades.
"The military's focus on drafting retired military personnel and college students are signs of a shortage of active-duty soldiers. The military may have difficulty finding enough personnel to respond to a military buildup and intelligence warfare," said Masafumi Iida, an expert on China's maritime strategy at Japan's National Institute for Defense Studies.
China has repeatedly revised its conscription system to strengthen the military. The Military Service Law was revised in 2021 to raise the age limit on new recruits to 24 for college graduates and to 26 for postgraduates, from 22 previously.
The Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of the Status, Rights and Interests of Military Personnel" was enacted in 2021 to specify the benefits that soldiers enjoy. Xi has urged Chinese citizens to respect those in the military.
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