Military quitters face heavy penalties

Four men in Ningde, Fujian province, were fined 50,000 yuan ($7,900) each and will suffer repercussions in employment and education after they quit the military, according to the local government.

The four are residents of Ningde's Jiaocheng district and voluntarily enlisted in the People's Liberation Army in September.

Soon the men found they couldn't endure the stringent training and were unhappy with the military's strict discipline, and they repeatedly asked their units to demobilize them. They were not dissuaded by rounds of counseling and persuasion from commanding officers, conscription officials and family members, the district government said in a statement on its website.

The men were clearly told about the severe consequences of refusing to continue their military service, including possible legal liability. However, they insisted that they must quit, the statement said.

They violated the Military Service Law and the Fujian Provincial Regulation on Conscription Work, it added.

Moreover, the men have been disqualified for jobs in government departments, publicly funded organizations and State-owned enterprises for three years. They are also banned from traveling overseas or enrolling in school during the period, the statement said.

Since January, eight men in Ningde have been punished for quitting military service, local media reported, saying that this would be recorded in their residency documents.

Ningde is not alone in punishing military quitters. Chinese media have reported several cases nationwide involving the punishment of people who either quit or refused to register with the military for unreasonable causes.

Professor Zhang Jiantian, from the Military Laws Research Center at China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing, said the government should do more to promote awareness of national defense and improve the attractiveness of a military career to draw young people into the ranks.

He suggested that a military unit should invite the media to interview new recruits and publish their stories in newspapers or through television programs in their hometowns, because such publicity will stimulate a sense of honor and responsibility.

Zhang also said military units should coordinate commanding officers, conscription officials and family members to encourage new recruits to stand strong in the face of difficulties in the military.

zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn