Music, video games new weapons for China's military recruiters

Recruitment songs, video games and films are among the Chinese military's new efforts to attract qualified young recruits, according to a plan about conscription published Thursday.

The plan, issued by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the departments of political work and defense mobilization under the Central Military Commission, said the campaign will be promoted until the end of September to target educated graduates and university students.

Recruitment songs, slogans, advertisements and documentaries should be spread online, on TV, and in public places such as buses and subways, it noted.

A recruitment video was released Wednesday on the Defense Ministry's official website featuring a rap-rock soundtrack with lyrics such as "war can break out at any time, are you ready?"

In the three-minute music video, soldiers from the army, navy, air force and missile corps are shown carrying out missions.

Media organizations nationwide are also required to push the recruitment drive through face-to-face interviews with military officers in charge of conscription and release recruitment animations and interactive online games to appeal to young people.

Authorities have asked the armed forces to open barracks to young students in an effort to strengthen their patriotism and help them understand the army.

Various "Open Day" activities will be organized, offering visitors a glimpse of life at military camps, according to the plan. Endi