The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has issued a regulation on Monday, Oct. 12, that prohibits people in military service from joining any overseas non-governmental organization (NGO), the Global Times reported.
The report said that the PLA's General Political Department issued the regulation, which took effect on Sept. 1.
"It was out of confidentiality concerns," Song Zhongping, a Beijing-based military expert, told the Global Times.
The PLA Daily reported that overseas NGOs refer to non-governmental and non-profit groups legally established abroad that include academic societies, associations, chambers of commerce, foundations and research institutes.
Song said that many foreign NGOs have been actually set up to steal military information by recruiting Chinese soldiers, which have happened in the past. He added that some NGOs also try to brainwash soldiers into conducting "peaceful evolution."
The working group tasked with implementing the regulation urged the PLA has to remain united and reminded members of the military that joining foreign NGOs is politically sensitive.
Fang Gongbin, a professor at PLA National Defense University, told the Global Times that PLA soldiers joining overseas NGOs is rare and unusual.
According to the working group, the Ministry of Civil Affairs will dissolve organizations or associations under the PLA which have not registered with the ministry, including those posing as research centers and hobby-oriented clubs.
Song said that many of the associations have no essential functions and were established primarily to satisfy the pride of some senior military officials.
The People's Liberation Army is considered to be the world's largest military force, with 2.3 million troops serving on the ground, in the air and in the high seas.