The People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the Ministry of Education plan to open an online recruitment service for the first time to mobilize college graduates this year, in a move seen as an effort to improve the army's hi-tech edge.

The PLA plans to recruit some 150,000 college graduates this year, the PLA and the ministry said on April 8.

Last year, China's Central Government announced a one-time payment of up to 24,000 yuan ($3,500) for students who enlist as soldiers, in order to encourage more young people with tertiary qualifications to serve in the army.