With the recent publication of a textbook of The Art of War by Sunzi, the world's oldest military treatise has become required reading for officers in China's military schools.

According to the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences (CAMS), the formal introduction of the ancient works by ace Chinese military expert Sunzi is aimed at "improving strategy and command proficiency of military officers" of the People's Liberation Army.

The Art of War by Sunzi, written more than 2,500 years ago, has been widely acclaimed by military commanders both in China and overseas for its superb military artistry and philosophical intelligence.

The new text book, compiled by the CAMS, provides an original version of the works and a modern Chinese translation. It also contains comments and research essays on each of the 13 chapters, which detail various strategies, warfare planning, war operation and other related tactics.

(Xinhua News Agency May 6, 2006)