SHENYANG, Dec. 9 -- An infantry brigade of Chinese ground forces named 36 soldiers as master sergeants Tuesday, marking the first group to hold the rank in the Chinese military.

The infantry brigade in northeast China's Shenyang Military Area Command is carrying out a pilot master sergeant system, according to a statement from the brigade.

The move is based on the fact that "the sergeants have taken a higher proportion and played a greater role in the army, the weapons and equipment have developed and the military force have been restructured," it said.

The newly named master sergeants will be responsible for the army's daily training, management and education.