On 30 Dec. 2022, China’s legislature, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress adopted the “Reservists Law” (预备役人员法), marking China’s first legislation for reservists.

Th Law contains 65 articles and will come into effect on 1 Mar. 2023.

The noteworthy provisions in the Law are as follows:

1.“Reservist” refers to a citizen who is pre-assigned to an active-duty unit of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, or assigned to a reserve unit of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army to perform reserve service.

2.The Central Military Commission shall lead the reservist work.

3.Reservists shall participate in military training in accordance with provisions and meet the training requirements specified in the military training program.

4.After the state issues a mobilization order or the State Council and the Central Military Commission take necessary national defense mobilization measures, units shall, under orders from their superiors, issue a call-up notice to reservists to be called up.

5.After receiving the call-up notice, the reservists must report at the designated place within the specified time as required.

6.A reservist called up shall be transferred to active service in accordance with the relevant provisions issued by the armed forces.