The bureaucacy never went away.
They are cutting the army by 25 percent by 2012.
And at the same time eliminating the senior NCO ranks (Warrants).
Plus eliminating the proffesional mid-range enlisted and technical.
They are reverting back to a mob that cannot function without officers. Which means kill the officers and you have won.
At the same time China is increasing its professional cadre.
It takes two years to train a soldier. The draft is for only 18 months in Russia. And they are eliminating the senior enlisted that should be there to train them at the same time.
This is a cost cutting measure. Nothing more. Draftees cost less. That is because they are nothing more than cannon fodder that barely know which way the bullet goes...
Actually the Chinese PLA is making cutbacks in its officer corps and active duty forces. They are trying to make it professional just like the Russians. However, the Chinese still use draftees and have a large reserve component.