The move, approved by the State Council and the Central Military Commission, will meet the needs of the country's long-term strategic objectives and strengthen reserve building of national defense, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of National Defense will be in charge of the specific military training programs, according to a circular jointly issued by the general offices of the State Council and the Central Military Commission and the headquarters of the General Staff and the General Political Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

Students are required to learn basic military skills, history of defense, knowledge of modern wars and other related topics with a view to raising students' political consciousness and their sense of patriotism, Xinhua said.

Military training will become a compulsory course for students at institutions of higher learning and high schools, said the circular.

(eastday.com November 13, 2001)