China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) began as an all-volunteer force. In 1955, as part of an effort to modernize the PLA, the first Military Service Law created a system of compulsory military service.^[1] Since the late 1970s, the PLA has been a hybrid force that combines conscripts and volunteers.^[1][2][3] Conscripts who fulfilled their service obligation can stay in the military as volunteer soldiers for a total of 16 years.^[1][3]

The Chinese system operates through a process of draft registration.^[4][5] De jure, military service with the PLA is obligatory for all Chinese citizens. However, mandatory military service has not been enacted in China since 1949.^[6][7] According to The World Factbook, "the PLA’s conscription system functions as a levy; the PLA establishes the number of enlistees needed, which produces quotas for the provinces; each province provides a set number of soldiers or sailors; if the number of volunteers fails to meet quotas, the local governments may compel individuals to enter military service."^[8]

By law, male citizens have to register themselves with the government authorities when they reach 18 years old.^{[9][better source needed]} Local governments have recruitment quotas, and registered citizens are not called when the quotas are met.^{[9][better source needed]} These registered citizens automatically become reserves and are required to attend short training sessions periodically before age 22. They would no longer be liable for service after age 22.^{[9][better source needed]} Those who are aged between 17 and 18 can also voluntarily register for the draft.^[10] In practice, mandatory military service has not been implemented since 1949 as the People's Liberation Army has been able to recruit sufficient numbers voluntarily.^[7]

Even though mandatory military service has not been implemented since 1949, people avoiding service when called up are still liable for punishment, and Beijing authorities criticize those youths who do not want to join the army.^{[12][non-primary source needed]}