The Chinese Communist regime is proposing a law that would mandate military training for children starting from elementary school. If approved, this law could be implemented as early as this year. Nikkei Asia reported that some high schools and universities in China already require students to participate in military drills involving tanks, armored vehicles, hand grenades, and rocket launchers. Additionally, China amended its conscription laws to make all university students eligible for the draft in May 2023.
The proposed law would make “defense education” a compulsory part of school budgets, introduce universal military training at the high school and college levels, and teach national defense theory, knowledge, and skills to elementary school children. The motives behind this initiative include instilling fear in the population to believe they are under constant threat and that only the authoritarian regime can protect them. It also aims to project military strength amidst tensions with neighboring countries and make young people enthusiastic supporters of China’s aggressive agenda.
China is keen on recruiting students with tech skills such as artificial intelligence, robotics engineering, and space technology into the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The PLA’s need for experts in these fields could be met by familiarizing children with military careers at a young age. The law also centralizes military education under top Communist officials, including Xi Jinping.
Critics view the revised military education policies as an attempt by the Chinese Communist Party to “legislate loyalty” amidst economic challenges and corruption. Skepticism surrounds the PLA’s claim of overwhelming university student interest in military recruitment.
