China’a air force is to recruit (招募) 30 female pilot cadets (军官学校学生) this year.

They will become part of a reserve force of women astronauts (宇航员) according to an officer in charge of pilot recruitment.

Senior Colonel Sui Guosheng, head of the Pilots Recruitment Bureau of the Air  Force of People’s Liberation Army (PLA), said the recruitment, which kicked off in 16 province areas across the country, was expected to end in July. The candidates are high school graduates aged between 16 and 19.

“They will become a reserve force for the Chinese women taikonauts for future space mission,” Sui said.

Unlike their predecessors who were mostly assigned to cargo aircraft piloting, navigation or telecom services, the recruits will be trained for more demanding duties, such as air refueling, airborne early warning and electronic reconnaissance, according to the officer.