China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) is to start its winter recruitment on Nov. 1 this year, according to an army conference held Tuesday.

The recruitment this year focused on new graduates from colleges, middle schools and vocational schools, as well as young people who excelled themselves in the reconstruction after the May 12 earthquake, according to a national teleconference.

"Quality of new recruits should be ensured to provide a reliable servicemen reserve and to improve the ability to cope with a diversified security threat and military tasks," it read.

PLA recruits are usually young men aged between 18 and 20 and young women 18 or 19. The age limit extends to 22 for young men with higher education and to 17 for young women if they volunteer to do so, according to the recruitment office of the Ministry of National Defense.

The PLA recruits nationwide once a year in winter.

(Xinhua News Agency September 10, 2008)