BEIJING,
Nov. 30 -- Getting into college in China is tough, but some college students are
trying something that is considered even harder.
Huang Wenchuan, a sophomore engineering major at
Shenzhen University in South China's Guangdong Province, couldn't wait to enlist
in the army in an autumn nationwide recruitment campaign.
"I've always wanted to be a soldier," said Huang, 19,
whose grandfather and uncle both served in the military. "My parents wanted me
to go to college, so I got in. I thought I would never be a soldier; and was so
thrilled to know that I could join the army and return to school after that."
Huang was among an increasing number of applicants
from universities nationwide to join the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA)
this autumn. And the army has benefited as well in the five years the policy has
been in effect because it gets more educated recruits.
More than 10,000 university students have entered the
army, according to Xinhua News Agency. Of them, more than 1,000 have been
awarded merit citations.
Shenzhen University is among the first group of
schools that have recruited students for the military service. So far, 96
students have been admitted to the army. After serving their two-year stints, 59
returned to school with 57 excellent performance ratings and 26 merit citations.
"The past five years have proved it is a right move
to recruit college-student soldiers," said Yang Yangshen, a director of the PLA
General Staff Headquarters, who is in charge of the recruits, in an interview
with Xinhua. "There are going to be more this year."
The recruitment of college students has a positive
impact on the working ability of the army, he added, because "soldiers with
higher education are more efficient. They will continue to be key to the
improvement of the army."
In return for the two-year commitment, the army tries
to help the students find where their talents lie. Every year, after the new
recruits complete about two months of "boot camp" training, the PLA assigns them
to their posts according to their majors and strong points.
