China has issued an order to recruit new soldiers as of Nov. 1 from across the country.

According to the order issued by the State Council, or the central government, and the Central Military Commission, governments and military organizations at all levels should improve their leadership to ensure conscription targets are met.

A senior conscription officer with the Ministry of National Defense said most of the recruits should be 18-20 years old for men, and 18-19 years old for women.

The age limit can be lifted to 21 for men if they have received senior high school education, or they are employees of companies or institutions, and 22 if they had received junior college education.

The minimum education criterion is junior high school education for applicants from rural areas, and senior high school education for applicants from urban areas.

China announced earlier this year plans to cut its army by 200,000 to 2.3 million 2005, following the previous cut of 500,000 from 1996-2000.

(Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2003)