Pen and sword, hand in hand

China looks to make soldiers of university students to bolster its military might

The fliers circulating recently on the campuses of China's most prestigious universities showed three soldiers positioned against a Chinese flag and an appeal that read in part: “Carry Your Pen to the Army to Become More Accomplished.''

In ancient times, the phrase was: “Throw Away Your Pen and Join the Army,'' a challenge to China's intellectuals to stop wasting time and help defend the country.

Now the People's Liberation Army is recruiting college students in a modernisation programme designed to attract soldiers who can handle sophisticated equipment and transform the 2.3 million-strong force into a high-tech adversary.

“With the rise of China, China needs a powerful army,'' said Tan Zhenwen, a junior at Tsinghua University in Beijing who recently headed to Guangdong province to join the South China Sea Fleet. “ ... I don't worry about the low social status of soldiers. With more and more college students joining the army, the situation is changing and getting better.''

While China's rising diplomatic power has helped fuel a desire for a more professional army, military commanders also need highly educated soldiers so that they can maintain the “information-based'' military power that has become increasingly important — both internationally as well as a means to dissuade Taiwan from declaring independence.

Changing character

Domestically, the army already 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 after floods and other natural disasters.

The army has also been the driving force behind the recent achievements in space exploration.

In a speech in August marking the 80th anniversary of the army, 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 the 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 China's nuclear missiles.

The army at present 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 advertisements featured an astronaut, a naval college professor and Peking University'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 similar to the US military's Reserve Officers Training Corps, or ROTC. 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.

“Compared with the private sector, army salaries are not very high. But in recent years, the army has increased the salary for soldiers and officers,'' said Li Shengqiang, an officer at the army's Beijing Recruitment Office.

“Because the army is trying to equip itself with advanced weapons and equipment, the quality and knowledge of soldiers has become correspondingly higher. In the 1980s, primary school graduates could join the army. But now, no way.''

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 penalties have been imposed for ineligible applicants who try to bribe their way into the army.

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 who spoke on condition of anonymity because a decision has not been announced.

For the love of fatigues

For Zhou Hao, 20, a third-year journalism student at Tsinghua University, joining the army had been a childhood dream.

He was unaware that university students were eligible until he spotted a recruitment poster and discovered financial rewards for signing up. Recently, He headed off to join the Second Artillery Group in Chuxiong city, Yunnan province.

I“I prefer to work for the government after I graduate, and I think my experience in the army will help me to get a position,'' Zhou said. “I don't think I really give up anything for the army. But one thing is that more eyes will look at you. So, there must be more pressure, which will force me to do my best.''

China's growing military budget has generated intense debate in Washington, where some analysts believe China's defence spending is much higher than the $45.3 billion officially earmarked.

Whatever the amount, one Beijing-based military expert added that some of that money is going towards China's military education system.

“We didn't use all those funds just for missiles or defence'' but also for “better welfare'' of troops, the expert said, noting that more than $1 million has been spent recently on uniforms.

“Maybe five years ago IBM had the most advantage. Most students wouldn't have joined the army. But now the situation is different,'' he said.

“The army now offers higher salaries, higher status than before and more opportunities for advancement. If you wore the uniform before, maybe you couldn't get a girlfriend. Now, even that's different.''