Xinhua reported that on May 26, 2017, China's Ministry of National Defence announced new regulations that the PLA will no longer recruit senior high school graduates and college students for reserve officers. Instead, the PLA will select and recruit college graduates, with new policies to be put in place to support the change. The changes are scheduled to take effect this year, as most college students graduate in June and July. The new policy aims to provide a platform for more high-quality graduates from colleges across the country to serve in the army..

(Comment: High school graduates or college students previously accounted for a large proportion of PLA recruits. They receive education in colleges and universities, undergo military-style management and become reserve officers after graduation.)