Men who turn 18 must complete military service registration by October 31; mandatory active duty lasts two years.

2. Men who turn 18 must complete military service registration by October 31; mandatory active duty lasts two years.

Cost: There is no cost. The online registration takes just a few minutes. However, actual enlistment means two full years of service, during which you cannot hold any other job.

In plain terms: Military service registration is a legal obligation, not an application to join the army. Completing it does not mean you must enlist. All men who turn 18 must register online by October 31. Failure to do so can result in a government order to register within a set period; if ignored, you may be forced into service and fined. Once enlisted, you serve as a conscript for exactly two years.

Benefit: The rules governing military service registration state: “By October 31 each year, local civil affairs bureaus must organize initial registration for all male citizens who will turn 18 by December 31.” They also specify that registration is primarily done online, at the citizen’s own initiative. Consequences of non‑compliance are outlined in Article 57, Paragraph 1 of the Military Service Law, which addresses “refusal or evasion of registration.” Penalties include a deadline set by the county government for compliance, followed by forced enlistment and a fine if still ignored. The same law also states that “the term of active duty for conscripts is two years.” It further notes that men aged 17–18 may enlist voluntarily if the army needs them. Non‑commissioned officers who serve 12 years or meet other criteria are offered civilian jobs by local governments upon discharge; those serving 30 years or reaching age 55 may retire. The Recruitment Regulations emphasize giving priority to university graduates and candidates with specific physical or professional qualifications; full‑time students and recent graduates may enlist either at their hometown or campus location.

Evidence grade: A

Sources: State Council of China, General Office of the Central Military Commission (2025). Regulations on Military Service Registration (Guobanfa [2025] No. 41). <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202512/content_7051363.htm>; National People’s Congress Standing Committee (2021). Military Service Law (2021) (Revised in 2023, Articles 20, 25, 26, 54, 57). <http://www.mod.gov.cn/regulatory/2021-08/20/content_4892491.htm> (Published by the Ministry of National Defense); State Council of China, Central Military Commission (2023). Regulations on Recruitment (State Council of China, Central Military Commission Order No. 759, Article 5). <http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2023/content_5753313.htm>

Notes: Registration and actual enlistment are separate processes with vastly different obligations. The restriction on leaving the country for two years applies only to those who enlist and later attempt to withdraw, as detailed in item 3 (refusal to serve). Women are not required to register initially, though they may be recruited if needed. Requirements for soldiers seeking officer training or promotion are defined in internal military regulations and are not disclosed here. The Military Service Law merely states that officers are drawn from “outstanding active‑duty soldiers” and that military academies may admit students regardless of age limits; exact admission scores and quotas are not provided in this guide.