Reuters, Beijing :
China’s military will end so-called paid for services within the next three years, state media said yesterday the latest move to modernize the armed forces amid a reform and anti-corruption push.
The People’s Liberation Army announced the move in November, meaning non-core activities such as military-run hospitals and hotels open to the public will be ditched.
The military was banned from overt commercial activities in 1998, but allowed some exceptions.
According to a circular issued by the Central Military Commission, headed by President Xi Jinping, the armed forces must not sign any new contracts for paid services and allow existing contracts to expire.
The notice was carried on the front page of the People’s Liberation Army Daily.
Ending all paid services is “an important political task” and all members of the military must fully implement the decision, the notice said.
Services that fulfill an important social security function will be allowed to be included under a new “civil-military integration” scheme, it added, a program the government has given few details about.
China’s military will end so-called paid for services within the next three years, state media said yesterday the latest move to modernize the armed forces amid a reform and anti-corruption push.
The People’s Liberation Army announced the move in November, meaning non-core activities such as military-run hospitals and hotels open to the public will be ditched.
The military was banned from overt commercial activities in 1998, but allowed some exceptions.
According to a circular issued by the Central Military Commission, headed by President Xi Jinping, the armed forces must not sign any new contracts for paid services and allow existing contracts to expire.
The notice was carried on the front page of the People’s Liberation Army Daily.
Ending all paid services is “an important political task” and all members of the military must fully implement the decision, the notice said.
Services that fulfill an important social security function will be allowed to be included under a new “civil-military integration” scheme, it added, a program the government has given few details about.
