BEIJING -- China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) will start its annual recruitment campaign as from Wednesday.

Young men must be aged between 18 and 20 and female high school graduates 18 or 19. The age limit extends to 22 years old for young men with higher education, according to the recruitment office of the Ministry of National Defense.

The office requires urban male recruits to have at least high school education and favors university students. For those from rural areas, elementary education is a must.

The PLA recruits nationwide once a year in winter.