BEIJING - China's top legislature on Saturday adopted an amendment to the Military Service Law, promising better placement for demobilized soldiers.

The amendment provides that demobilized soldiers who register for a civil servant examination or apply for a position in government institutions will be given preference.

Military service will be regarded as community-level work experience, which is a requirement for civil service hopefuls eyeing central and provincial level posts, reads the amendment.

Veterans who go back to college and finish their studies will be given preference when they apply for employment in rural or community-level government agencies upon graduation, the amendment says.

The amendment also requires local governments to organize free vocational education and technical training for demobilized soldiers and issue certificates to trainees.

According to the amendment, active servicepersons and disabled soldiers will be given preferential treatment in terms of healthcare, traffic taking and tour visit.

The amendment also promises to raise the retirement pension of soldiers correspondent to the economic and social development, so as to attract more people to join the army.

The amendment, which was approved at the six-day session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), is to take effect since the date of publication.