China has decided to raise People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers' food subsidy by 22 percent to 10 yuan per day (US$1.2) from 8.2 yuan beginning Jan. 1, 2005.

The increase is the largest since the People's Republic of China was established in 1949 because of the recent increase of food prices in Chinese markets.

The rise of food subsidy is expected to improve the living quality of the about 2 million Chinese soldiers.

Chinese central government and top military authority have decided to regularly improve the living standard of soldiers, keeping pace with that of civilians, said Liao Xilong, member of the Central Military Commission and director of the General Logistics Department of the PLA.

Since it launched the opening-up policy in 1978, China has increased the food subsidy of soldiers for 23 times.

(Xinhua News Agency May 24, 2005)