Can I refuse to be recalled from the military?

No.

Retired soldiers are urgently recalled to the army and generally cannot be refused. In the event of a war in our country, Chinese soldiers' secondary enlistment will also need to be recalled from retired officers, conscripts (reserve force soldiers are preferred), and demobilized and retired soldiers who have advanced military technology and expertise with the times.

Veterans can be recalled conditionally when the country is at war. This is based on Article 51 of my country’s Military Service Law, which stipulates that during wartime, the State Council and the Central Military Commission may decide to recruit male citizens between the ages of 36 and 45 to serve in active service, and may decide to extend the period of citizens’ active service if necessary.

If there is an emergency without warning, such as a natural disaster, when a major disaster such as an earthquake or mudslide occurs in a place, and there are not enough soldiers serving in the local area, the military will be based on actual conditions. In some cases, some retired military personnel are summoned to carry out earthquake relief, but this situation is very rare.

The difference between military veterans and demobilization

1. Different concepts:

(1) Demobilized military personnel: military officers, civilian cadres, and volunteers who retire from active service and transfer to Local governments shall make unified arrangements for work by the state.

(2) Veterans: Military conscripts who retire from active service.

2. Different conditions:

(1) Veterans refer to those who joined the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (including the Chinese People’s Armed Police Force) after November 1, 1954, and hold a discharge or Persons with demobilized military documents.

(2) Soldiers must meet certain conditions before they can choose to change careers. Ordinary conscripts and low-level non-commissioned officers do not have the option of career change. Only mid-level and above non-commissioned officers and officers have the option of career change, that is, non-commissioned officers of the third term and above, officers and civilian cadres.

3. Different meanings:

(1) Veterans, formerly members of the military, are classified according to their years of service, type of service, honorable retirement or discharge from active duty, or disability level. Statute provides for eligibility for benefits or privileges under the Veterans Act.

(2) Professional soldiers refer to officers and soldiers who are directly transferred from the army to local areas for assignment.