SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - China approved revisions to the Law on National Defense Education on Friday, placing greater emphasis on defense education in academic institutions and highlighting the supportive role of military organizations in students' military training.
The revised law, consisting of six chapters, was passed during the 11th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing. It enhances provisions for students' military training and introduces new clauses stating that on-campus national defense education should aim to increase students' awareness of their legal duty to serve in the military.
According to the new amendment, when conducting military training for students, universities and schools must adhere to manuals jointly developed by education departments under the State Council and relevant units of the Central Military Commission. This approach is designed to strengthen military skills training, improve students' mental fortitude, reinforce their sense of discipline, and elevate the overall quality of military training.
The revised law mandates local military organs to assist educational institutions in implementing students' military training by providing training instructors and offering training venues and facilities.
Some Standing Committee members emphasized that effective school-based national defense education is crucial for recruiting high-quality military personnel.
Xu Guangyu, a Chinese military expert, noted that the new era has brought significant changes to both international and domestic environments, necessitating new and higher standards for national defense education. He added that China's approach aligns with global trends of strengthening national defense education.
The Law on National Defense Education was originally enacted in 2001 and previously amended in 2018. The newly revised version is set to take effect on September 21, 2024.
This update reflects China's commitment to adapting its national defense education to meet contemporary challenges and prepare its youth for potential future roles in national security.
