China orders combat-oriented reforms in military schools

BEIJING - China's military schools have began reforming curriculums and management of their students to boost real combat abilities, sources with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have said.

Military academies and universities will foster talent in accordance with the goals of strengthening the army and boosting students' ideological and political quality, adopting a combat-oriented educational system, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the training department under the PLA headquarters of general staff.

"Concrete efforts should be made to cultivate high-quality military talents that are capable of participating in and winning a war," the statement said.

According to the statement, the reform will also unify teaching materials, innovate in teaching methods for combat command and hone a performance-based reward and penalty mechanism for students.