By the end of 2005, China had completed the task of trimming the
ranks of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) by 200,000, bringing
its total number of troops to 2.3 million.
The reductions mean that the ratio of Ground Forces has dropped
to its lowest point in PLA history, while Navy and Air forces, and
the Second Artillery Force numbers have increased.
China announced in 2003 that it would cut its troops by 200,000
within three years. The troop reductions are aimed at improving the
quality and structure of the forces and troops' combat
readiness.
China made the decision to downsize its military personnel by 1
million in 1985. By 1987, the size of PLA had been reduced from
4.238 million to 3.235 million and further reductions have
followed.
Since 1990, China's armed forces have undergone a series of
adjustments and their size has continued to shrink. China decided
in 1997 to once again downsize its military by 500,000 within three
years, reducing troop numbers to 2.5 million.
In 2003, China decided to cut a further 200,000 military jobs
and reduce its forces to 2.3 million.
(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2006)
