Chinese army officers told to mix with troops

President Xi Jinping has told military top brass they will be expected to spend a couple of weeks every few years with rank-and-file soldiers to ensure they keep their feet on the ground.

The senior officers will have to eat in the enlisted men’s mess and share dormitories with the privates.

“The grassroots are the foundation and basic support for building the army,” the defence ministry said.

“It will help to purify the soul and be the prevention and cure for laziness, lax discipline, extravagance and other bureaucratic illnesses,” said an editorial in the People’s Liberation Army Daily.