BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The People's Liberation Army (PLA)plans to
withdraw its involvement in transport, electric power and telecommunication
projects and stop providing non-essential services to its members, according to
a circular issued recently by the Central Military Commission.
"All construction projects, excluding those that involve state secrets,
should be open for public bidding," said the circular, which was signed by the
Chairman of the Central Military Commission Hu Jintao.
The circular said that the PLA will contract civilian companies to provide
non-official vehicles and phone services.
It also ordered the PLA to make full use of the country's civilian social,
cultural and educational resources, saying that the number of military-run
institutions, including kindergartens, schools, publishing houses, artistic and
sports organizations, hotels and training centers, will be gradually cut.
The circular said that detailed measures of the reform will be worked out
by military authorities this year, and will be piloted in certain army units
before being fully adopted.