BEIJING - China will require its armed forces to open more barracks to the public this year, the flagship newspaper of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) reported on Monday.

The move is part of a greater effort to promote national defence education among residents to strengthen their patriotism and sense of identity with the army, the PLA Daily said.

Various "Open Day" activities are already planned this year, offering visitors a glimpse of barracks life at nationwide military camps. Students from Tsinghua University will have an opportunity to visit PLA Navy bases.

Moreover, students from the western areas will be invited to participate in a summer camp at a barracks of the PLA Rocket Force which was established last December.

China will launch a defense education campaign as it marks the 95th anniversary of the establishment of the Communist Party of China and the 80th anniversary of the end of the Long March, a forced expedition that eventually laid an important foundation for the Communist victory in the civil war, this year.