More officers can live with families
Source: Xinhua |
May 30, 2011, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SERVING in the Chinese Navy's Nanhai Fleet as a company commander, Ma Maofu had been separated from his wife for years, with the exception of short visits back to his hometown.
But he and his wife, Chen Jianli, who is six months pregnant, moved into a new apartment last month in a navy base in south China's Guangdong Province, where Ma was previously stationed.
"When my child is born, I will not need to travel a long way back to my hometown to see my child and I can be around to take care of my family," Ma said.
Ma is among nearly 100,000 servicemen whose family circumstances have been improved by a new policy issued in March.
According to the policy, which was issued by China's State Council and the Central Military Commission, lower-ranking military officers, such as company commanders, are allowed to live with their family while serving in the military. The previous policy, which was enacted in 1963 and revised in 1991, only benefited service members with a rank of vice battalion commander or higher.
The policy also allows officers serving in remote posts, to bring their families with them.
Tian Baofeng, an officer stationed in the city of Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province, is happy with the new policy. "It means my wife can join me three or four years earlier than expected," he said.
Gong Fangbin, a professor at the University of National Defense, says the policy can be seen as an effort to improve the welfare of lower-ranking officers and servicemen.
"Traditionally, the Chinese armed forces emphasized patriotism. But now they have realized that the welfare of lower-ranking officers and soldiers can have significant effects on the cohesion of the armed forces," Gong said.
Under the new policy, military spouses and children can move their permanent residence permits from their hometowns to where their husbands or wives are stationed.
According to the PLA General Logistics Department, the armed forces will have to build about 90,000 new apartments to meet demand.
China's defense budget for 2011 totals 583.59 billion yuan (US$89.8 billion), up 9.6 percent on 2010.
But he and his wife, Chen Jianli, who is six months pregnant, moved into a new apartment last month in a navy base in south China's Guangdong Province, where Ma was previously stationed.
"When my child is born, I will not need to travel a long way back to my hometown to see my child and I can be around to take care of my family," Ma said.
Ma is among nearly 100,000 servicemen whose family circumstances have been improved by a new policy issued in March.
According to the policy, which was issued by China's State Council and the Central Military Commission, lower-ranking military officers, such as company commanders, are allowed to live with their family while serving in the military. The previous policy, which was enacted in 1963 and revised in 1991, only benefited service members with a rank of vice battalion commander or higher.
The policy also allows officers serving in remote posts, to bring their families with them.
Tian Baofeng, an officer stationed in the city of Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province, is happy with the new policy. "It means my wife can join me three or four years earlier than expected," he said.
Gong Fangbin, a professor at the University of National Defense, says the policy can be seen as an effort to improve the welfare of lower-ranking officers and servicemen.
"Traditionally, the Chinese armed forces emphasized patriotism. But now they have realized that the welfare of lower-ranking officers and soldiers can have significant effects on the cohesion of the armed forces," Gong said.
Under the new policy, military spouses and children can move their permanent residence permits from their hometowns to where their husbands or wives are stationed.
According to the PLA General Logistics Department, the armed forces will have to build about 90,000 new apartments to meet demand.
China's defense budget for 2011 totals 583.59 billion yuan (US$89.8 billion), up 9.6 percent on 2010.
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