China revises conscription law, eyeing Taiwan conflict

Veteran soldiers, tech-savvy students expected to play key roles

Chinese People's Liberation Army troops prepare to lay flowers at the Monument to the People's Heroes in Beijing to mark Martyrs' Day in September 2021. © Reuters

YUKIO TAJIMA, Nikkei staff writer

May 1, 2023 19:53 JST

BEIJING -- China on Monday enacted revisions to its military service law that will allow retired military personnel to be reenlisted to secure experienced soldiers. The law also focuses on recruiting tech-savvy science and engineering students to prepare for warfare in new domains such as space and cyber, as the country tries to build its military strength to prepare for possible all-out war in the Taiwan Strait.