(XINHUA)

New recruits arrive at an academy of the Armed Police Force in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on August 18.

More than 200,000 college students had applied to join military service, according to a statement made on August 20 by the Ministry of Education.

China has enacted many policies aimed at encouraging college students to join the armed forces, including exemption from tuition fees, retaining of student status for two years after leaving the army, and promoting outstanding students to military officers.

This year's military recruitment will run from August 1 to September 30.