After a ban on online dating for Chinese soldiers...

Army plays matchmaker

After a ban on online dating for Chinese soldiers...

Guns 'N' Roses: A party has been organised for cadres to meet women working with a cellphone company on the island of Hainan. representation Pic/Getty Images

Until now, members of the 2.3 million-strong Chinese army stationed in remote posts have relied on the Internet for romance.

But worried that lonely hearts might let sensitive information slip, the army has now banned online dating. Instead, PLA commanders will become matchmakers.

"Soldiers stationed on frontiers, for example in Tibet, have few opportunities to make contact with the outside world," said Yang Jigui, an officer at the Xigaze base in Tibet.

"But people with ulterior motives may make use of the soldiers' personal information and pose a threat to the safety of the army," he added.

Finding partners
The base has already held a meeting to discuss how to find partners for its unmarried men through the local branch of the All China Women's Federation, an NGO to support women.

On the island of Hainan, a paramilitary police officer has already organised a party for older cadres to meet women working at a local branch of China Mobile, the mobile phone company.

"The Internet is complicated and we should guard against online traps," said Wan Long, the political commissar of a regiment in Guangzhou.

He added that it was too easy for ill-intentioned parties to use the information on the web to identify specific army units and their location.

Blogs are out, along with Internet dating, online job hunts and even making friends in the virtual world under the internal affairs regulation, which came into effect on 15 June, the report said, citing a military newspaper.

One of the most popular military blogs, Army Spirit, has already been shut down. Liu Qing, its author, was commended for his enthusiasm and military knowledge by his commanding officer, but informed that there was too much personal information available.

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