Representing the military at the ongoing Fifth Session of the Tenth National People's Congress are 259 deputies from the People's Liberation Army. Although vastly outnumbered, the PLA delegation's 22 women deputies are holding their own, backing proposals relating to military as well as social concerns.

Deputy Wang Lianying has won the World Military Pentathlon five times and is the only representative from the military sports field. She told China.org.cn that her main concern is the welfare of military athletes and the Beijing Olympics.

"The Beijing Olympics has become the focus of the world and many military athletes will be participating. How to promote the development of sports is my top concern," she said.

"Through this session, I hope, not only the PLA, but also other groups of people, will support the development of sports as a career."

Deputy Yao Yunzhu, who has a doctorate in military strategies, has her attention fixed on national defense, and is scheduled to discuss the Taiwan issue and general diplomacy matters with other deputies during the session.

"I'm an ordinary soldier, a member of our great PLA. Every word of mine is on behalf of my country and my people. As a deputy, I will try my best to fulfill my task.

"The interest and honor of motherland are above all else."

Deputy Li Jun, who spoke about modern methods of warfare that combine intelligence, psychology, technology and the armed forces, said that she had submitted several proposals on the training of female military personnel because "women and men are equal on the modern battlefield."

Military issues aside, the PLA's women deputies are also pushing for social improvements.

For example, pilot Chen Xiaojian is supporting the use of the Internet as a study tool, while Yao Libo has lent her weight to the establishment of a Medicare system.

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Wang Ke, March 9, 2007)