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China's military has cut back its troops by 200,000, the official newspaper of the People's Liberation Army said on Monday.

The Liberation Army Daily said the two-year program to slim China's military was finished on schedule at the end of 2005, and troop numbers were down to 2.3 million.

China had 2.5 million serving military in 2003 when the cuts started. In 1987, it had about 4.2 million.

The reforms included reducing layers in the command hierarchy, cutting non-battle units such as schools and farms, and rearranging officer duties.

"The personnel system reforms have brought heartening changes to our military development. They've compressed troop numbers and optimized the personnel structure," the paper said.

"Our military is marching toward the goal of an appropriately sized, structurally balanced, lean, command-responsive fighting force."

After the cutbacks, the proportion of military serving in the infantry had fallen to a "historic low," while the share in the navy, air force and Second Artillery Corps -- which maintains China's nuclear missiles -- had risen, the paper said.

The paper also said that "high-tech" forces had increased. China has accelerated developing or buying several advanced weapons, including surveillance satellites, missiles, and "blue water" naval vessels and submarines.

"(The Central Military Commission) Chairman Hu Jintao's instructions set a clear direction for completing adjustment and reform of the military personnel system," it said.

Last week, Hu visited the Liberation Army Daily and told its staff to "adhere to a correct political orientation."

China's military budget in 2005 was about $30 billion, a 12.6 percent rise on the previous years.

The Liberation Army Daily said more reforms to China's military were planned for 2006, including further reducing officer numbers. 

(Agencies via Chinadaily.com.cn January 9, 2006)