China's military colleges have been ordered to carry out drug and psychological tests when recruiting would-be military officials.

A set of new recruitment rules was released by the headquarters of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Sunday, affirming the military's high standard in training officials.

The recruitment added urine test for drugs for the first time as an increasing number of young Chinese are taking drugs and some find hard to quit, said a publicity official with the army who did not give his name.

Meanwhile, applicants to the military colleges have to take a psychological test, which includes a written exam and an interview, said Miao Danmin, professor with the psychology research institute of the Forth PLA Medical College.

Applicants for military strategy majors should finish 700 to 800 questions in a one-hour written exam, while applicants for technology majors should finish 400 to 500, before being granted an interview, said Miao, whose institute designed the whole psychological tests.

"The army has specific requirements for its officials with regard to personality and mental health. The test will help teenagers make the right decision," Miao said, advising the applicants not to be too nervous about the exam.

"They might fail the test as they are not suitable for the military but they can probably do better in other trades," Miao said.

According to the new rules, teens wearing fashionable tattoos will also be barred from entering the military schools.

"Tattoos will tarnish the military's image, even the scars of removed tattoos," said Li Chunming, a military health official with PLA's logistics headquarters.

Li said only tattoos following the traditions of ethnic minorities can be accepted if the figures are not too prominent in summer shorts.

He said another recruitment qualification change was that heavy snoring will also be banned from military schools.

The new rules also made a few changes on the physical and health conditions of the applicants.

(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2006)