BEIJING - The Chinese government on Wednesday announced a set of policies to encourage more college graduates to serve in the military.

A circular posted on the official website of the Ministry of Education states that college graduates will be prioritized for recruitment by the military and enjoy tuition and loan exemptions after being recruited.

These students will also receive aid in job-hunting or furthering their studies upon completing their military service.

According to the circular, the army will continue to accept online applications from college graduates from April to July. Experts will be invited to provide online consulting services to help students better understand the policies.

China's military started enlisting college graduates in 2001. By the end of 2009, college graduates accounted for 130,000 of the People's Liberation Army (PLA)'s total number of recruits.