The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) plans to recruit more civilian employees for its non-military positions this year, in a bid to reform the personnel system in the army, said sources with the on-going army conference on recruiting civilian employees.

The recruitment will be conducted strictly in accordance with the Ordinance on Civilian Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) issued last June, the source said.

The employment of civilian staff is part of the personnel reform in the country's military modernization.

According to the statue, the PLA will employ civilians in non-military positions involving teaching, research, engineering, health, culture and sports, library and archives, as well as some administrative and logistic positions.

In 2006, civilians will take over at least one third of the positions set by quotas for military personnel. In 2007, the proportion will reach two thirds, and by the end of 2008, all these positions will be filled by civilian staff, the source said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 4, 2006)