China’s army is relaxing recruiting standards to allow shorter, fatter and more myopic soldiers to enlist in an effort to recruit the brainpower needed to man a fast growing arsenal of high-tech weapons, according to the defence ministry.
At 2.3m, the People’s Liberation Army is by far the biggest army in the world. However, the defence ministry is concerned about education levels among recruits, and has stepped up efforts to enlist high school and college graduates.
Guidelines released by the ministry this week cut height requirements from 162cm to 160cm for male recruits and from 160cm to 158cm for female recruits, increased the weight limit and lowered eyesight requirements. Tattoos, formerly off limits, will now be tolerated if they are less than 10 sq cm in total with a maximum two sq cm visible when the soldier is in uniform.