The headquarters of the People's Liberation Army (PLA)  has issued a new regulation revamping the value of awards given to people who help boost the sci-tech development of the military forces.

The regulation was recently approved by the CPC Central Military Commission and will be valid from April 1. It revises and expands the kinds of awards and raises the value of prizes to a maximum of 100,000 yuan (approximately US$12,200).

According to the regulation, the "award for major technological contribution" is re-named the "award for outstanding technological professionals". The prize money has been increased from 50,000 yuan to 100,000 yuan with the term required to win the prize reducing from three years to two.

The "award for excellent professionals in battling troops" raises the prize from 10,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan and expands the number of awards given out from 50 to 300.

The "award for military schools for talents training" raises each gold prize to 30,000 yuan from 10,000 yuan and silver prize to 10,000 yuan from 5,000 yuan.

The "award for group innovation in science and technology" is now a major award , according to the regulation.

The regulation applies to all officers in active service, and cadres and staff in the civil service of the PLA.

(Xinhua News Agency March 26, 2006)