The State Council also passed a draft amendment on the regulations for active service officers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Education on national defense forms the basis of building and consolidating the country's national defense, and is also important in enhancing people's awareness of national defense and unity of the Chinese nation, it was pointed out at the meeting.

The State Council was also noted that the regulations for PLA officers on active service, which were first enforced in 1988, have played an important role in improving the overall quality of officers and ensuring that they carry out their duties in accordance with law.

However, certain parts of the regulations no longer suit the needs of the current situation as the country is deepening the reform of its political and economic systems and further developing its military forces, said the State Council.

The State Council decided that the draft law and the draft amendment will be submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for deliberation.

Premier Zhu Rongji presided over the meeting.

(Xinhua 12/07/2000)