Net restrictions imposed on PLA
By Anita Chang |
July 1, 2010, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
WHAT will the lonely hearts of the People's Liberation Army do now?
Rigid restrictions on Internet usage imposed this month on the 2.3 million-strong Chinese armed services are sure to cramp the already lackluster social lives of the predominantly young, male force. Online dating was given the boot, along with blogs, personal websites and visits to Internet cafes.
It may seem harsh and out of touch, particularly for soldiers posted in remote regions of China who have little contact with the civilian world. But military experts said restraints are necessary to avoid compromising security.
"Some soldiers leaked military secrets when chatting online, for instance, giving away troop locations. Certainly a large amount of secrets were revealed this way and the regulation has just blocked the hole," said Ni Lexiong, a military expert at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law.
Plus, Ni said, "matchmaking for soldiers can be conducted in more serious ways, such as through introductions from families, friends, or their work units."
The prohibitions are a brief part of lengthy internal affairs regulations issued by the Communist Party's Central Military Affairs Commission.
"Seeking marriage partners, jobs or making friends through the public media is not permitted. Going online in local Internet cafes is not permitted," the regulation states. "Opening websites, home pages, blogs and message forums on the Internet is not permitted."
It was not clear if soldiers would be completely cut off from social networking sites. The regulations do not apply to civilians serving in military research and training academies.
The regulations, posted on the Ministry of National Defense's website, did not say how soldiers would be punished for transgressions.
Chinese social networking sites and instant messaging programs are wildly popular. Young office workers chat online with friends throughout the work day.
Internet cafes in small towns are packed with youngsters playing games.
Ni said in the past soldiers had been allowed to visit Internet cafes in plainclothes.
Rigid restrictions on Internet usage imposed this month on the 2.3 million-strong Chinese armed services are sure to cramp the already lackluster social lives of the predominantly young, male force. Online dating was given the boot, along with blogs, personal websites and visits to Internet cafes.
It may seem harsh and out of touch, particularly for soldiers posted in remote regions of China who have little contact with the civilian world. But military experts said restraints are necessary to avoid compromising security.
"Some soldiers leaked military secrets when chatting online, for instance, giving away troop locations. Certainly a large amount of secrets were revealed this way and the regulation has just blocked the hole," said Ni Lexiong, a military expert at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law.
Plus, Ni said, "matchmaking for soldiers can be conducted in more serious ways, such as through introductions from families, friends, or their work units."
The prohibitions are a brief part of lengthy internal affairs regulations issued by the Communist Party's Central Military Affairs Commission.
"Seeking marriage partners, jobs or making friends through the public media is not permitted. Going online in local Internet cafes is not permitted," the regulation states. "Opening websites, home pages, blogs and message forums on the Internet is not permitted."
It was not clear if soldiers would be completely cut off from social networking sites. The regulations do not apply to civilians serving in military research and training academies.
The regulations, posted on the Ministry of National Defense's website, did not say how soldiers would be punished for transgressions.
Chinese social networking sites and instant messaging programs are wildly popular. Young office workers chat online with friends throughout the work day.
Internet cafes in small towns are packed with youngsters playing games.
Ni said in the past soldiers had been allowed to visit Internet cafes in plainclothes.
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