Chinese Military Will No Longer Be Permitted To Conduct Business With Civilians

Soldiers from China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) march ahead of the opening session of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at Tiananmen Sqaure in Beijing, March 3, 2015. REUTERS/KIM KYUNG-HOON

Reuters: China military to end paid-for services within three years

China's military will end so-called paid for services within the next three years, state media said on Monday, the latest move to modernize the armed forces amid a reform and anti-corruption push.

The People's Liberation Army announced the move in November, meaning non-core activities such as military-run hospitals and hotels open to the public will be ditched.

The military was banned from overt commercial activities in 1998, but allowed some exceptions.

According to a circular issued by the Central Military Commission, headed by President Xi Jinping, the armed forces must not sign any new contracts for paid services and allow existing contracts to expire.

The notice was carried on the front page of the People's Liberation Army Daily.

Read more .....

Update #1: Chinese military ends era of providing paid services to concentrate on soldiering -- South China Morning Post
Update #2: China Terminates Paid Services in Military -- CRI English
Update #3: China orders military to end all paid outside work (AP)

WNU Editor: It appears that the Chinese are no longer open to the idea of having civilian contractors filling their needs, nor providing needed services to the public for money. Will this make people unhappy .... definitely .... but expect no blow-back against President Xi and his reform/anti-corruption  movement for now.