The People's Liberation Army (PLA) plans to withdraw its
involvement in transport, electric power and telecommunication
projects and stop providing non-essential services to its members,
according to a circular issued recently by the Central Military
Commission.
"All construction projects, excluding those that involve state
secrets, should be open for public bidding," said the circular,
which was signed by the Chairman of the Central Military Commission
Hu Jintao.
The circular said that the PLA will contract civilian companies
to provide non-official vehicles and phone services.
It also ordered the PLA to make full use of the country's
civilian social, cultural and educational resources, saying that
the number of military-run institutions, including kindergartens,
schools, publishing houses, artistic and sports organizations,
hotels and training centers, will be gradually cut.
The circular said that detailed measures of the reform will be
worked out by military authorities this year, and will be piloted
in certain army units before being fully adopted.
(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2007)