China's armed police plan to employ more than 1,000 civilians by the end of 2010 to serve in non-combat positions, the Headquarters of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force said on Friday.

Civilians would fill technical positions including those in the medical, teaching, sports, cultural and library management sectors, opening the once-closed force to society, according to the Headquarters.

Applicants would need to pass an exam and enlist, at which point they would sign a contract with their unit.

These civilians would not be in uniform unless they were on combat duty, taking part in a military drill or dealing with emergencies.

Their pay would be similar to their counterparts in local government sponsored institutions, the Headquarters said.

The plan is seen as a move to streamline the military and armed police force and to enhance the capability of offensive forces.

In June 2005, the State Council and the Central Military Commission decided to introduce a system of employing contract civilians to fill some support posts in the military, so that active-duty officers, who are limited in number, mainly take up command and combat posts.

In 2006, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) started the employment of contract civilians.

(Xinhua News Agency April 19, 2008)