Chinese Army Extends Cutback
China’s army has opened 40 fuel depots and 145 military railway lines for civilian use under a campaign to reduce the size of the armed forces and intensify economic development, the official New China news Agency said Friday.
It said army oil depots in Peking and Canton “have provided large quantities of gasoline for local vehicles since the start of this year. In addition, army oil depots are now storing oil for local companies and leasing oil unloading facilities.”
It said the opened rail lines, all in northeast China, are helping ease transport strains.
The Central Military Commission announced earlier this month that 1 million soldiers will be demobilized in the next two years. The army is believed to be about 4 million strong.
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