Sun Shaopin, head of Chinese Military of Veteran Affairs, said that the protection of the veteran soldiers' legitimate rights and interests still needs improvement. Sun said that the Chinese government is expected to extend their efforts in the area in the coming years.
The official delivered the remark during the Ministers' corridor press briefing of the 2019 Two Sessions. He also said that the ministry is on its way of improving. He highlighted the government's call for "comprehensive construction" to protect the veteran's welfare including helping them in looking for occupation.
The ministry announced that they are drafting a new law on the welfare of military veterans and it is expected to reach the hands of the top legislators for deliberation during the second half of 2019.
Zeng Zhiping, a military law expert at Wenzheng College of Soochow University in east China' Jiangshu province, said that making a law for the veterans was one of the key tasks of the military overhaul launched by President Xi Jinping that saw 300,000 military personnel, most of the senior officer being laid-off.
He said that they are building relevant protection systems from the central government to the county level to complete the six levels total. The Ministry of Veterans Affairs was initiated on April 16, 2018. The main function of the office is to provide policies and regulations on remobilized military personnel. It is the government body that honors the dedication and spirit of veterans. They are also in charge of the veteran's retirement, reemployment, and vocational training issues. The ministry was set up as part of China's major institutional restructuring.
The ministry also plans to promote academic education to the veteran soldiers. They plan to impose policies that support the education of the veterans. The ministry's support included free education and training. Vocational education will be improved to enhance the employability of the soldiers. Vocational training for them will focus more on handling job-oriented and specific training programs.
The ministry also plans to collaborate with state-owned and private companies to support the veterans. It is planning to conduct regional job fairs for the group and set up information dissemination platforms that will focus on sharing job posts for the soldiers.
Sun also said that they currently have introduced 12 documents concerning better assistance to veterans who are planning to start their own business. The ministry plans to help them with tax cuts, in setting up investment funds, and in providing professional guidance as they start their business.
