The All-China Women's Federation has named this August "Defense Education Month" for Chinese women, and a series of programs will be held by women's federations at all levels throughout the country.

The move is aimed at popularizing national defense-related knowledge among women and promoting the work of governments at various levels to support the army and take care of the families of servicemen, and the work of the military to support the government and love the people, said an officials with the national women's organization Sunday.

The programs will include the second national contest of articles and photos under the theme "The Army Flag and Wives of Servicemen," and a workshop to solicit opinions from ex-servicemenon their life after retiring.

The article and photo contest will be jointly sponsored by the national women's federation and the General Political Department of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Traditionally in China, women's organizations are the most active in promoting relations between government, the people and the army. In 2003, the All-China Women's Federation and the PLA General Political Department jointly named 100 women "Good Wives of Servicemen."

This year, the federation would concentrate on helping servicemen's wives to overcome difficulties in employment and re-employment.

August 1 is China's Army's Day. The country will celebrate the 77th founding anniversary of the PLA this year.
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(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2004)