The People's Liberation Army (PLA)plans to withdraw its involvement in transport, electric power and telecommunication projects and stop providing non-essential services to its members, according to a circular issued recently by the Central Military Commission.

"All construction projects, excluding those that involve state secrets, should be open for public bidding," said the circular, which was signed by the Chairman of the Central Military Commission Hu Jintao.

The circular said that the PLA will contract civilian companies to provide non-official vehicles and phone services.

It also ordered the PLA to make full use of the country's civilian social, cultural and educational resources, saying that the number of military-run institutions, including kindergartens, schools, publishing houses, artistic and sports organizations, hotels and training centers, will be gradually cut.

The circular said that detailed measures of the reform will be worked out by military authorities this year, and will be piloted in certain army units before being fully adopted.

(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2007)