China issues guidelines to safeguard defence interests

BEIJING: China today issued strict guideline to local bodies to safeguard national defence interests by protecting the rights of the military personnel and their families, in a bid to boost the morale of the army.

The guideline lays out a mechanism to coordinate settlement of military rights protection issues at the national level, requiring the country's top court, top procuratorate, and ministries of public security, civil affairs, justice, finance, human resources and social security, and land and resources to designate officials to report regularly.

Local governments were asked to set up a leading group to resolve issues involving military institutions and personnel, state run Xinhua news agency reported.

"Safeguarding the interests of national defence and rights of the servicemen and their families is important for a strong army, consolidating CPC rule, safeguarding national security and promoting military-civilian unity," the guideline said.

It asked authorities to safeguard national defence interests and military security by preventing theft of military secrets and supplies, sabotage of military facilities, or impersonation of servicemen.

It also ordered authorities to solve cases involving servicemen or their families' marriage, injuries, land expropriation, and demolition compensation in a timely manner.

The guidelines came as China faced military tensions with Japan and Philippines over the disputed islands.

Also the Chinese government is currently conducting a crackdown against corruption besides austerity campaign banning luxury dinners and vehicles, which shook the 2.3 million world's largest standing army.

Two top army generals were detained in the anti-corruption campaign.