China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) began as an all-volunteer force. In 1955, as part of an effort to modernize the PLA, the first Military Service Law created a system of compulsory military service.[1] Since the late 1970s, the Chinese conscription laws mandate a hybrid system that combines conscripts and volunteers.[1][2][3] Due to sufficient volunteer recruitment, mandatory military service has not been enacted in China since 1949.[4][5]
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
jamestownwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "China is struggling to recruit enough highly skilled troops". The Economist. November 6, 2023. ISSN 0013-0613. Archived from the original on 10 February 2024. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
In the late 1970s it adopted the current hybrid system of volunteers and conscripts.
- ^ Allen, Kenneth W.; Corbett, Thomas; Taylor A., Lee; Xiu, Ma (November 3, 2022). "Personnel of the People's Liberation Army" (PDF). United States–China Economic and Security Review Commission. p. 23. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
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