The World : China Introduces Draft
China announced the start of military conscription, ending the tradition of the People’s Liberation Army as an all-volunteer force. Western diplomats in Peking said the 4-million-member military is having increasing difficulty attracting young men because of greater opportunities in civilian life created by economic reforms since 1979. The New China News Agency said that males between 18 and 22 will be subject to call, and each district will have its quota to fill.
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