Chinese armed forces is due to start the 2005 Winter's recruitment on November 1, according to an order jointly issued by the State Council and the Central Military Commission.

It urges governments and military recruitment departments at different levels to take it as a serious political task and ensure a completion of the recruitment.

Those who are qualified to be recruited by the Army include rural youth with the least educational background of junior middle and urban youngsters with a schooling of high school or even higher. "It is essential to recruit as many high school graduates from the countryside as possible," it says.

The age group for male candidates ranges from 18 to 20 years, while for women, it spans between 18 and 19, according to the document.

Meanwhile, high school graduates aged 17 years could also be accepted upon their own will, the order says.

(Xinhua News Agency October 29, 2005)