PLAN wants good looking recruits

Troika said:

170's just five seven, it's not that tall. I went to Beijing some while back, and basically everybody's that height.

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Well, for one thing, people in northern China are taller on average than those in the south. But even so, you're rather exaggerating if you say "basically everyone" is 5'7" there. I've been there too and there were plenty of people shorter than that. And remember that Beijing is one city, not reflective of even the region let alone the whole country.

A lot of people would be excluded under these rules. It's purely discriminatory and in a rather pointless way. It would be nice if it was a miscommunicated statement, but if it is real then a lot of good people may get left out just because they're a little short.

LOL. Some of the smartest people I served with were totally ugly. The engineering officer on my first assignment was butt ugly but could talk CODAG systems like you were talking about sharpening a pencil.

FuManChu said:

Well, for one thing, people in northern China are taller on average than those in the south. But even so, you're rather exaggerating if you say "basically everyone" is 5'7" there. I've been there too and there were plenty of people shorter than that. And remember that Beijing is one city, not reflective of even the region let alone the whole country.

A lot of people would be excluded under these rules. It's purely discriminatory and in a rather pointless way. It would be nice if it was a miscommunicated statement, but if it is real then a lot of good people may get left out just because they're a little short.

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I am maybe, but it is qualified exagerration. Most of young people I saw are that height or more - those are the ones joining the navy. And I will stand by that, because I am just over six feet, and five seven is just about eye level for me. As for whether it is reflective, I am sure I don't know. I was only in Beijing, the only other place in China I have been to is Hong Kong (which is oddly enough just about as tall despite being south, nutrition, I expect). However it is a pretty large sample, and there are many people from the provinces - migrant workers, and this is after all the national capital. Conversely, maybe you travel more in China and can tell me.

I also am doubtful of that statement, seem a bit arbitrary to me. Be nice if Chinese friends can confirm it. China after all conscripts, it is odd that they suddenly let a lot off (if a lot it is, navy anyway) just like that.

A lot of people would be excluded under these rules. It's purely discriminatory and in a rather pointless way. It would be nice if it was a miscommunicated statement, but if it is real then a lot of good people may get left out just because they're a little short.

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I agree FuManChu, but i am wondering who is gonna judge, which person is ugly or not. Are they gonna get some Chinese modelling recruitment agency to decide who is in or out

Also was one of the criticisms of the Chinese navy by the Russians during last years exercise was about their looks?

But it is stupid i hope the BBC has misquoted the Chinese, for China's sake.

Baibar of Jalat said:

I agree FuManChu, but i am wondering who is gonna judge, which person is ugly or not. Are they gonna get some Chinese modelling recruitment agency to decide who is in or out

Also was one of the criticisms of the Chinese navy by the Russians during last years exercise was about their looks?

But it is stupid i hope the BBC has misquoted the Chinese, for China's sake.

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None that I nonticed. Their paratroops leave much to be desire, but I don't think there were complain about their personal appearance... actually I read some articles quite complimentary of it, it referred to the entertainment troops, but still.

don't think they would actually try to get tall sailers... for example, wouldn't the navy want SHORT sailers for their submarine fleet?? after all, a shorter person takes up less room and breath less air. and that's very important in a small limited space such as a sub.

Troika said:

However it is a pretty large sample, and there are many people from the provinces - migrant workers, and this is after all the national capital. Conversely, maybe you travel more in China and can tell me.

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I've been to more than Beijing - not sure how widely you have travelled. I guess it's just personal perception. But anyway even if it was just a minority left out I'd still object.

Somehow I feel it is a misunderstand statement by BBC. Why? First, because Chinese are not fat at all when they are at younger age. It is hard to see a big fat young man in China. Now with the requirements for weight and height in PLAN, I would see most qualifed people will be already at least average good-looking. Have you seen a Chinese young man with a strong body and medium height (say, about 176CM) who happen to be extremely ugly?

Also, China is not like US or Western countries, where every company has to say there are equal opportunity employers. In China and other asian countries, good looking people always have better chance. Have you noticed that in Asian country airlines (especially Tailand airline, the most beautiful flight attendants I have ever seen), those flight attendants are all beautiful young lady? While in US, most of them are middle or old age woman and some of them are even men. I would say it is a culture difference between East and West.

However, I do worry that if there is really a policy like that, the interpretation and enforcement by local recruiters could go extreme.

netspider said:

Also, China is not like US or Western countries, where every company has to say there are equal opportunity employers. In China and other asian countries, good looking people always have better chance. Have you noticed that in Asian country airlines (especially Tailand airline, the most beautiful flight attendants I have ever seen), those flight attendants are all beautiful young lady? While in US, most of them are middle or old age woman and some of them are even men. I would say it is a culture difference between East and West.

However, I do worry that if there is really a policy like that, the interpretation and enforcement by local recruiters could go extreme.

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LOL!!! Sad but somewhat true.

China after all conscripts, it is odd that they suddenly let a lot off (if a lot it is, navy anyway) just like that.

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China doesn't conscript, unless you mean leaving your name down, but in that case, the USA would be said to have a full draft then.

How will these taller, better looking sleep in their tiny, swinging beds? (That's how navy beds are right?)

sumdud said:

LOL!!! Sad but somewhat true.

China doesn't conscript, unless you mean leaving your name down, but in that case, the USA would be said to have a full draft then.

How will these taller, better looking sleep in their tiny, swinging beds? (That's how navy beds are right?)

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It also has compulsory military training for potential university students, which is something America lacks.

As for this business, I suggest it is simple matter for our Chinese speaking friends to go check on the PLAN website... if it's standard recruitment policy, it's hardly going to be a secret. And it is supposed to be '2006', so it is also current policy.