According to the decision on amending the Military Service Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) adopted at the 23rd meeting of the 11th NPC Standing Committee on October 29th, 2006/KLOC-0:
Article 12
Male citizens who have reached the age of eighteen before December 31st each year shall be enlisted for active service. Those who were not enlisted in that year can still be enlisted for active service before the age of 22. The recruitment age of college graduates can be relaxed to 24 years old.
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 on my own initiative, citizens who have reached the age of1February 3 1 day, but have not reached the age of 17 18 can be enlisted for active service.