Legal basis: People's Republic of China (PRC) Military Service Law.
Twelfth male citizens who have reached the age of 18 years before1February 3 1 every year shall be recruited for active service. Those who have not been recruited in that year can still be recruited for active service before the age of 22, and the age for recruiting graduates from ordinary colleges and universities can be relaxed to 24. According to the needs of the army, female citizens may be recruited for active service in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph. According to the needs of the army and my own wishes, citizens who have reached the age of 17 but have not reached the age of 18 before 12 in that year may be enlisted for active service.
Article 13 The State practices the military service registration system. Male citizens who have reached the age of 18 before December 31st each year shall, according to the arrangements of the military service organs of counties, autonomous counties, cities and municipal districts, conduct military service registration before June 30th of that year. Those who pass the preliminary examination in military service registration are called eligible citizens.
Fourteenth citizens eligible for enlistment shall, in accordance with the notice of the military service organs of counties, autonomous counties, cities and municipal districts, go to the designated physical examination stations for physical examination on time. Citizens who meet the conditions for active service are enlisted for active service with the approval of the military service organs of counties, autonomous counties, cities and municipal districts.