China will transfer 60,000 military officers to civilian work next year, which is "still a tough task", according to the Ministry of Personnel on Saturday.

A total of 337,000 officers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) were transferred to civilian work over the past five years, including 256,000 demobilized from 2004 to 2006, a national personnel conference heard.

About 90,000 PLA officers have chosen to find jobs by themselves, according to the ministry.

Minister of Personnel Yin Weimin told the conference that China would continue to explore new ways that "fit the country's situation" in arranging civilian work for demobilized military personnel.

Yin added that local governments would set up special agencies to provide services and supervise and manage the transfer.

More professional training programs should be organized to help demobilized soldiers adapt to the new life, Yin said, adding that online courses specially designed for demobilized armymen in accordance with their interest should be organized to "enhance their competitiveness" in the fierce employment market.

(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2007)