By the end of 2005, China had completed the task of trimming the ranks of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) by 200,000, bringing its total number of troops to 2.3 million.

The reductions mean that the ratio of Ground Forces has dropped to its lowest point in PLA history, while Navy and Air forces, and the Second Artillery Force numbers have increased.

China announced in 2003 that it would cut its troops by 200,000 within three years. The troop reductions are aimed at improving the quality and structure of the forces and troops' combat readiness.

China made the decision to downsize its military personnel by 1 million in 1985. By 1987, the size of PLA had been reduced from 4.238 million to 3.235 million and further reductions have followed.

Since 1990, China's armed forces have undergone a series of adjustments and their size has continued to shrink. China decided in 1997 to once again downsize its military by 500,000 within three years, reducing troop numbers to 2.5 million.

In 2003, China decided to cut a further 200,000 military jobs and reduce its forces to 2.3 million.

(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2006)