Chinese Air Force of PLA has loosened its physical restrictions for new pilots this year, HenanBusiness Daily reported on Thursday.

Chen Tongxin, a doctor at Air Force General Hospital, said in an interview that they havestarted applying the new standards in physical exams.

According to the new rule, people with tattoos, which are part of some ethnic groups' customs,will not be totally banned, as before.

However, the new rule still bans religious and criminal group tattoos, and the exposed part of atattoos should not be bigger than 2 centimeters in diameter. Also, the covered part of a tattooshould be no bigger than 3 centimeters in diameter.

Loosening the physical restrictions can expand the candidate group of pilots and provide moreopportunities for people, Chen said.