China's former army officers are to study management at a new national training center at Beijing's prestigious Tsinghua University to help them adapt to civilian life.

The center, officially inaugurated on Monday, was jointly established by the State Council group for the resettlement of ex-servicemen, the Ministry of Personnel, and the General Political Department of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

The course, mainly designed for former officers who have been employed by large state-owned companies, will offer 520 hour-long lectures.

The government is stepping up professional training of former Army officers and about 200 will study at the Tsinghua center this year.

(Xinhua News Agency, December 11, 2007)