Is The Chinese Army Volunteer?
China has the largest standing military force in the world, with over two million active-duty personnel. China’s military, called the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), is the official armed force of the country and is divided into two major branches: the army and the navy, and smaller branches like the air force and the rocket forces. But how is the PLA staffed? Is it made up of volunteers or is it a conscripted force?
The answer is complicated; at one time the PLA was staffed mainly by conscription, but it has changed over the last few years. In 2018, the Chinese government announced that it was abolishing all mandatory military service, and instead voluntary recruitment, a military reserve system and subcontracting to attract new participants.
One of the key reasons the Chinese government has been making these changes is to modernise its military. It created a professional fighting force, capable of responding quickly to any global conflict and able to use the latest technology. This means they need to recruit and retain high-caliber personnel and this can’t be done through conscription.
Additionally, in China, military service was seen as a far-removed option, mainly because people were reluctant to join a conscripted force and because it was costly to maintain long-term conscription. Voluntary recruitment, on the other hand, allows for flexibility and is considered a more desirable option for many. So, in theory, the shift from conscription to volunteers should have been an attractive solution to the changing needs of the PLA.
However, there are mixed opinions on this matter. Despite the shift away from conscription, analysts and experts still argue that the Chinese military is far from being an all-volunteer force. This is because of the social, economic, and political complexities in China, which is a one-party state. Analysts believe there is still some conscription type of force present in the Chinese military, and there are three main groups that are targeted – ethnic minorities, students, and rural people.
Some experts argue that when it comes to voluntary recruitment, the Chinese government is less than forthcoming with their recruitment efforts. They argue that the government is providing limited opportunities to enlist, offering only a few postings in high-demand regions, while of many of the other postings are prone to high unemployment. Additionally, it is believed that the Chinese government is using its political influence to steer people towards its own interests, rather than offering unbiased opportunities for military service.
These opinions are not based on concrete evidence; it is difficult to know for sure if the Chinese military is truly an all-volunteer force, or if some of its recruitment practices are a form of conscription. What is clear, however, is that the Chinese government is making efforts to create a modern military and to increase recruitment of high-caliber personnel.
Ethnic Minorities
The Chinese government has long had an uneasy relationship with its ethnic minorities, who represent about 8.5% of the population. It is believed that the government has been targeting ethnic minority communities in its recruitment efforts, as a way to create a sense of unity and to show military strength. This practice of targeting minorities has been criticised, as it often means members of these communities are being taken from their homes and put into the militarised service.
Some experts believe that this is a form of involuntary conscription, as the majority of those recruited face long periods of military service, and that their rights to choose their own future are being taken away. This has caused tension among those communities, and there have been a number of protests and other vocal forms of resistance against these recruitment practices.
Students
Another group which is believed to be targeted by the Chinese military are students. It is believed that the Chinese government has been using its ‘Youth Working Programme’, to recruit students into the military. Under this programme, the government offers students the chance to participate in a ‘voluntary’ military summer camp, with the potential to join the army on a full-time basis afterwards.
Critics argue that this is a form of conscription, as the camps are seen as a way for the government to get around the abolition of mandatory military service, and to recruit students into the military. The camps have been criticised for their long hours and strict discipline, which can make it difficult for students to opt out of the programme. It has been argued that this is a form of coercion, and that it goes against the idea of voluntary enlistment.
Rural Community
Finally, some analysts believe that the Chinese government is also targeting rural communities in its recruitment efforts. This is because of the high unemployment rate in rural areas, which means that many people in these areas are desperate for work. It is thought that the government has been using this to their advantage, by offering military service as an option to unemployed individuals.
Critics argue that this is not voluntary recruitment, as the people who are being recruited may not have been able to find alternative employment. It has been argued that this is a form of conscription, with the government taking advantage of people’s desperate situation. This has caused tension among rural communities and led to a number of protests against the practice.
Pay and Benefits
In addition to the potential of conscription in certain groups, the Chinese military is not seen as a viable career choice for many due to low wages and limited benefits. In comparison to the armed forces of other countries, the Chinese military is seen as less attractive. This is due to the fact that the Chinese government offers low wages and limited benefits to its personnel, and as such, is not a desirable option for many.
Analysts believe that this is one of the main reasons why the Chinese military has been struggling to find new recruits. The low wages and limited benefits are not seen as attractive enough for the majority of citizens and the government has had difficulty in convincing citizens to join the military voluntarily.
Alternatives to Military Service
One of the alternatives offered by the Chinese government for those who do not wish to join the military is the ‘Model Citizen Programme’. This programme encourages citizens to pursue higher education, cultural or technical skills and to become model citizens. The beneficiaries of this programme receive financial support and other incentives, such as housing subsidies, tax breaks and extended maternity leave.
This has proven to be attractive to many, as it offers an opportunity to develop skills and receive financial support without having to join the military. So far, the programme has been successful in finding recruits, but some analysts believe it is not enough to meet the needs of the changing military. It is believed that the programme should be further expanded and that there should be more incentives to encourage people to join the military voluntarily.
Changing Attitudes
In recent years, the Chinese government has been making efforts to modernise its military and to attract new recruits. This involves an overhaul of the recruitment process, as well as the introduction of new incentives and benefits for personnel. Additionally, the government has been making attempts to change the public’s attitude towards military service, by stressing the importance of military service and stressing the honour, dignity and patriotism that comes with it.
The government has also been making attempts to create a more positive image of the military, by running campaigns in the media, focusing on the role of the military in defending the country. These campaigns have been successful in some ways, but there are still many hurdles for the government to overcome in order to convince people to join the military voluntarily.
Pitfalls of All-Volunteer Forces
Finally, the shift away from conscription to an all-volunteer army has potential pitfalls. Analysts argue that when it comes to an all-volunteer force, some of the most talented citizens may choose not to join, while those who do join may lack the necessary skills. This has the potential to create a force that is unprofessional and unprepared for global military engagements.
Additionally, when it comes to high-risk operations, a volunteer force may not be fully committed to the mission and may be less willing to take risks, as compared to a conscripted force. This has the potential to diminish the effectiveness of the Chinese military and could prevent the country from achieving its military objectives.
Public Opinion
Public opinion on the shift from conscription to an all-volunteer force is mixed. Some argue that it is a smart move by the Chinese government, as it allows for more flexible and attractive recruitment methods. Others argue that the shift may open the door for exploitative recruitment practices, and that it could potentially lead to the creation of an under-skilled, under-prepared force.
Ultimately, it is difficult to make a definitive judgement on this matter. It is clear that the Chinese government is making efforts to modernise its military, and to encourage people to join voluntarily. However, this shift has been met with mixed opinions, and it is still unclear if the Chinese military is truly an all-volunteer force.
Political Influence
The Chinese government is a one-party state, and it has significant political control over the country. This means that when it comes to military recruitment, the government has tremendous influence, as it can use its political power to steer citizens in the direction it wants. This can be seen in the targeting of specific groups, such as ethnic minorities, students, and rural people.
The government has been criticised for these practices, as some argue that the recruitment process is less than fair, and that people’s rights to choose their own future are being taken away. Critics argue that the Chinese military is far from an all-volunteer force, and that there are still significant issues to be addressed before it can be said that the PLA has become an all-volunteer force.
Modernisation
The Chinese government has been making efforts to modernise its military and to attract high-caliber personnel. This includes making changes to the recruitment process, such as abolishing mandatory military service, introducing flexible recruitment schemes and offering incentives for recruitment. Despite these changes, there are still mixed opinions on the effectiveness of these reforms, with some believing that the shift has not gone far enough.
What is clear, however, is that the Chinese government is making concerted efforts to create a modern military and to attract high-quality personnel. Whether or not these efforts are enough to create an all-volunteer force remains to be seen, but it is clear that the Chinese government is making attempts to create a force that is up to the modern standard.
