Defense industry adopts market role

China's defense sector is taking bold steps to be more competitive and innovative, as it prepares to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army on Aug 1.

A key aspect of this reform is the drive to put the nation's defense research institutes on a more commercial footing, a move which was announced at a recent conference held by the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense.

Work is proceeding well on such efforts at 41 institutes, which will become independent legal entities as companies, it was revealed at the conference on July 7.