Tibet posted soldiers earn more than many new graduates
 

(TibetanReview.net, Nov23, 2009)  “Outstanding” soldiers selected for posting in Tibet from China’s southern boomtown of Guangzhou will get a "special allowance" of up to 160,000 yuan ($23,440) for serving there, reported Reuters Nov 21, citing a local newspaper. Soldiers posted to Tibet come from all parts of China, with some of the postings from some other parts having been reported recently by China’s official media.

"These new soldiers who are going to Tibet are outstanding new soldiers who have gone through a strict selection process," the Guangzhou Daily was stated to have reported Nov 21 in a front page story also on their website. The paper was further quoted as saying, "The whole province has a laid down a preferential policy for soldiers going to Tibet, and soldiers registered in Guangzhou who are posted to Tibet, will be able to get a special allowance of up to 160,000 yuan."

The "special allowance" is paid by local governments to the families of new soldiers to compensate for the loss of their labour, the report cited China Military Online, sponsored by the People's Liberation Army Daily, as saying. This means that other provinces too pay special allowances to their Tibet posted troops.

Reuters noted that while the Guangzhou paper gave no details of other bonuses, the potential payment for those heading to Tibet was generous even for one of the richest parts of China, more than what many graduates would hope to earn as an annual salary.

Apart from Tibet’s harsh climate, the explosiveness of the situation there due to the Tibetans’ underlying resentment against China’s policy to destroy the occupied country’s national identity is seen as a major factor for the attractive pay package.