A computerized Exercise Assessment System has been developed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), a "major breakthrough" in the advance of military exercises in the country, according to the PLA Department of General Staff.

The system was used in a recent training program at the PLA's Field Army Commanding Academy in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, by officers from major PLA command areas and drill bases.

The system was initially developed in 2003 for use in real battles, and has since been tested in exercises. The system automatically collects and analyzes information and works out an objective evaluation of an exercise.

The newly developed system is expected to help improve military exercises and will be widely adopted by the whole army.

(Xinhua News Agency March 19, 2005)