The Chinese military is expected to make changes to its traditional structure by adding new battle units and cutting out outdated ones in an effort to create new combat effectiveness, the PLA Daily, mouthpiece of the Chinese armed forces, reported on Tuesday.

According to the Headquarters of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), a program is currently underway to change the structure of the Chinese military by cutting down on divisions and increasing brigades.

The readjustment and reform program, said the headquarters, is now proceeding smoothly after a proposed schedule was circulated around the various army departments and levels for review.

The program will increase the number of land corps, designed to operate on a three-level command system - corps, brigadier and battalion - a first for the Chinese armed forces.

Command levels for the air force and the navy will be reduced, according to the report, but no further details were given.

The total number of officers serving at headquarters or functional branches at different command levels will be cut to a new low and some grassroots posts previously held by officers will be handed over to skilled soldiers or non-service civil servants. 

Citing the reform as one of the most wide-ranging and extensive the country has implemented, the headquarters of the PLA General Staff (HQ) said the reform would serve to optimize the internal structure, encourage the increased use of science and technology, and intensify the joint combat command capability of Chinese troops.

"The readjustment should be complete before the end of 2005," HQ added.

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2005)