During the Beijing Municipal People's Congress session in February, a representative suggested that tourism authorities develop a one-day "army barracks tour" for visitors from abroad. Now, barracks, firing range and tank museum tours are being considered and will likely be offered to travelers in the near future, says the Beijing Tourism Administration (BTA).

BTA Vice Director Xiong Yumei said that the anticipated tours would also include watching the troops practice drill and ceremony.

The administration is currently negotiating with military authorities to open more special visiting areas for foreign visitors.

A tourism industry insider said that they believe the army tour will attract a great deal of interest from foreign visitors as well as those from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.

He also pointed out that safety and security requirements present complex challenges to the travel agents and tour guides.

At present, the People's Liberation Army has 2.5 million troops. Jiang Zemin, chairman of the China Military Commission, announced that the country will cut troop strength by 200,000 in 2005. During the nation's ninth reduction in force, from 1997 -- 2000, 500,000 soldiers were demobilized.

When the first reduction in force was implemented in May 1950, the year following the establishment of the People's Republic of China, the PLA was 5.5 million strong. However, the downsizing was suspended when the Korean War broke out, and the Chinese army swelled to its peak of 6.3 million in October 1951.

The country has implemented nine reductions in force since the founding of New China: 1950, 1952, 1953, 1957, 1975, 1980, 1982, 1985 and 1997.

(China.org.cn by Wang Zhiyong May 5, 2004)