Article Posted on : - May 26, 2011

BEIJING (BNS): China’s People's Liberation Army (PLA) has launched a new "Online Blue Army" unit, a Defence Ministry spokesman has said.

Defence Ministry spokesman, Geng Yansheng, said launching the online army is based on the PLA's needs. “Enforcing the ability of Internet security protection is an important issue in its military training programmes,” China Daily quoted him as saying.

According to Geng, internet security has become an international concern which affects not only the society but the military sector. China, armed with comparatively lax online security protection, is among the victims of Internet attacks, he said.

The PLA comprises of five main service branches - the PLA Ground Force, PLA Navy (PLAN), PLA Air Force (PLAAF), Second Artillery Corps (strategic nuclear or missile force), and the PLA Reserve Force.