On the drill grounds of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), overweight officers are now undergoing vigorous training to reduce fat and increase muscle.
These officers are not preparing for a fashion show or trying to get in shape for personal reasons.
They are exercising because of the launching of a new military training weight control schedule which came into effect this year.
Criteria are set for the expected weight of officers whose ages range from 20-39 years old. The formulas are "height minus 105" kilograms with a tolerance of 10 percent less or more, for 20-29-year-olds; and "height minus 100" kilograms with a tolerance of 10 percent, for 30-34-year-olds; and "height minus 100" kilograms with a tolerance of 12 percent, for 35-39-year-olds.
According to military sources, experts have been invited to show officers how to keep in good shape through diet and physical training.
Under the new rules, officers will not be promoted if they are overweight.
In a comment on the new policy, the PLA Daily said Wednesday that it will have a positive impact on the training of army officers, helping them develop good habits for a healthy life, and will enable them to be fit enough to meet army requirements.
(www.cctv.com.cn January 10, 2002)
