part six: china military system since the founding of the people's republic of china in 1949,...

Part Six: China Military SystemPart Six: China Military System

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the people's army has gradually grown to include the active and reserve forces of the People's Liberation Army, Chinese People's Armed Police Forces and the Militia.

(1) The active and reserve forces of the PLAThe People's Liberation Army consists of officers and men in active service and in reserve. The active forces are made up of the Army, Navy, Air Force, 2nd Artillery Corps, military schools and national defense scientific research institutions.

1. The Composition of the armed forces


The Army, organized according to different tasks and equipment, mainly includes the infantry, armored corps, artillery corps, engineering corps, communication corps, and anti-chemical warfare corps.

In its setup, the Army follows the organizational system of the squad, platoon, company, battalion, regiment, division (brigade) and army (group army).



The Navy is organized into fleets, naval bases and marine defense regions.

The Navy is made up of the East China Sea Fleet, the South China Sea Fleet and the North China Sea Fleet.

The naval bases are usually under the command of the fleets and they in turn consist of marine defense regions and vessel forces.

In terms of equipment and war operational responsibilities, the Navy consists of the vessel forces, submarine forces, naval air forces, naval coastal defense forces and the marine forces.



The Air Force is made up of air teams, regiments (air ports and air stations), divisions, and regional air forces (air armies). In terms of equipment and war operational responsibilities,

the Air Force mainly consists of air units, anti-aircraft units, surface-to-air missile units, paratroops and radar units.



The 2nd Artillery Corps, also known as the Strategic Missile Corps, is an army equipped with surface-to-surface strategic missile system to carry out tasks of strategic anti-nuclear strikes.

It is under the direct command of the CMC.



Military schools, in accordance with administrative subordination relationships and specialties of education and scientific research they undertake, are divided into those under the CMC, headquarters of different branches of the armed forces, area military commands, and various services and arms of the military.



The reserve service of the armed forces was organized in 1983 with officers and men in the active service as the backbone and those in the reserve service as the basic elements.

It is organized in such a way as to quickly mobilize and turn into active forces during war. Its regiments and divisions are listed in the setup of the armed forces and conferred with designations and flags.

In peaceful time, the reserve service is under provincial military regional commands while in times of war will be placed under the command of the designated active service of the military.



(2)The Chinese People's Armed Police Force

As part of the armed forces of the People's Republic of China, the Armed Police Force was organized according to a decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China adopted in June 1982.



(2) The Chinese People's Armed Police ForceThe Armed Police Force is under the dual leadership of the State Council and the CMC

and exercises a combined system of unified administration and command at different levels. The Armed Police Force implements the Military Service Law of the PRC and the orders and regulations of the PLA. It enjoys the same political status as the PLA.

The primary mission of the Armed Police Force is to safeguard state sovereignty and dignity, maintain social order and security, guard the Party and government leading organs, key targets of protection in the country and the safety of people's life and property.



(2) The Chinese People's Armed Police ForceThe Armed Police Force follows a three-level leadership in organizational setup

of branch teams, brigades and headquarters. Made up mainly of civil defense units, it also includes the units administered by

the public security departments such as the border units, fire brigades and garrison units as well as units jointly administered by various departments of the State Council and the Armed Police Force such as the water and electricity units, traffic units, gold mine units and forestry units.



(3)The MilitiaThe Militia, a mass force engaged in daily production under the leadership of the Communist

Party of China, is a component part of the armed forces of the People's Republic of China.Under the command of the military organs, the Militia undertakes such jobs as war preparation

services, security and defense operation tasks and assistance in maintaining social order and public security.



(1)The Central Military CommissionThe Central Military Commission of the PRC is the highest state military organ

with the responsibility of commanding the entire armed forces in the country. Led by a chairman and consisting of vice chairmen and members, the

Commission is elected for a term of five years and can stand for reelection.

2. Structure of leadership over national defense


(1)The Central Military Commission (CMC)The chairman of the Central Military Commission is elected by the NPC, and the selection of other

members are decided by the NPC and its Standing Committee on the basis of the nomination by the chairman.

The State Central Military Commission follows the system of chairman responsibility in work, while the chairman is responsible to the NPC and has the right to make final decisions on affairs within its functions and powers.



(2) Organizations of the Central Military CommissionHeadquarters

The Headquarters of the General Staff, General Political Department, General Logistics Department, and General Armament Department, which are not only working organs of the CMC, but also leading organs for military, political, logistics and armament affairs of the entire army.

They undertake the primary tasks of ensuring the implementation and realization of strategic decisions, policies and principles of the CMC on military warfare and army building.



(2) Organizations of the Central Military CommissionThe Headquarters of the General Staff is responsible for organizing and leading the building

of the armed forces in the nation, and organizing and commanding military actions of the armed forces.

It is made up of offices and departments for war operations, information, communication, military training, army affairs, mobilization, armament, security, mapping and surveying, foreign affairs, as well as the affairs of the various armed services and arms.



(2) Organizations of the Central Military CommissionThe General Political Department is responsible for Party work in the military, and organizes

political work. It is made up of departments or offices for organization, officers, publicity, security and discipline inspection.

The General Logistics Department is responsible for leading the work of all logistic matters of the armed forces. It is made up of departments or offices for finance, military supplies, health, transportation, oil and materials and barracks construction.



(2) Organizations of the Central Military CommissionThe General Armament Department is responsible for leading the work concerned with armament

supply. It is made up of departments and offices for general planning, research and ordering for

armaments for the various services and arms of the armed forces, communication equipment and its guarantee.



(2) Organizations of the Central Military CommissionMinistry of Defense

It is the organ for military affairs in the State Council. Its primary responsibilities are to exercise unified administration over the building of the armed forces of the country such as the recruiting, organizational setup, equipment, training, military scientific research of the armed forces and the ranking and remuneration of the officers and men.



(2) Organizations of the Central Military CommissionMinistry of Defense

The work of the ministry is conducted respectively by the Headquarters of the General Staff, the General Political Department, the General Logistics Department and the General Armament Department.

The Ministry of Defense does not command the armed forces. Exchanges in the military field with foreign institutions are usually conducted in the name of the Ministry of Defense.



(2) Organizations of the Central Military CommissionHeadquarters of the Navy

Its basic tasks are to oversee the building of the navy, its war preparation work, and to command the military operations of the navy, according to the policies and principles of the CMC for the building and war operations of the navy. The headquarters is made up of the commanding headquarters, political department, logistics department, technology and war preparation department, war preparation and maintenance department, and the naval air force department. Naval fleets are stationed in strategic sea zones along China's coast.



(2) Organizations of the Central Military CommissionHeadquarters of the Air Force

Its basic tasks are to oversee the building of the air force, its war preparation work and to command the military operations of the air force, in accordance with the policies and principles of the CMC for the building and war operations of the air force.

In 1985, such organizations as the commanding headquarters, political department, logistic department, and air-engineering department were set up.



(2) Organizations of the Central Military Commission

Area military commandsHeadquarters of the various area military commands are the highest commanding bodies of consolidated military forces in each strategic region. Usually they are made up of the commanding headquarters, political departments, logistics departments and armament departments.



(2) Organizations of the Central Military Commission

Area military commandsThe primary jobs of the headquarters of the area military commands are: being responsible for the commanding of the war operations of the army, navy and air force in the areas under their jurisdiction as well as the military, political, logistic and armament affairs of the forces under their command.

They are also responsible for the militia, military service, mobilization and construction of military facilities and sites in areas under their respective jurisdiction.



(1) the enlistment systemArticle 55 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China which stipulates, " it is the sacred duty of

every citizen of the PRC to defend the motherland and resist aggression. It is the honourable duty of citizens of the People’s Republic of China to perform military service and join the militia in accordance with the law,"

3. The military service system


(1) the enlistment systemChina practices a military service system which combines conscripts with volunteers and a militia with a reserve service.The military service shall comprise the active service and the reserve service. Those serving in the Chinese People’s

Liberation Army are active servicemen while those pre-regimented into active forces, or regimented into reserve forces or militia organizations for reserve service after registration or performing reserve service in any other form are reservists.



(1) the enlistment systemEach year, male citizens who have reached 18 years of age by December 31 should be enlisted for active service. Those

who are not enlisted during the year shall remain eligible for active service until they are 22, and the age limit for enlistment of graduates from regular institutions of higher learning may be relaxed to 24.

To meet the needs of the armed forces, female citizens may be enlisted for active service according to the provision of the preceding paragraph.



(1) the enlistment systemThe enlistment of a citizen eligible for enlistment may be deferred if he is the only labor force to support his family.A citizen eligible for enlistment shall not be enlisted if he is under investigation, prosecution or trial according to law,

or if he has been sentenced to imprisonment, criminal detention or public surveillance and is serving his sentence.



(2) Active Service and Reserve Service of SoldiersSoldiers in active service shall include soldiers subject to the compulsory military service system and soldiers subject to the

voluntary military service system, and the former shall be called conscripts while the latter shall be called non-commissioned officers.

The term of active service for a conscript is two years.



(2) Active Service and Reserve Service of SoldiersA soldier shall be discharged from active service upon the expiration of his term of active service. Those who have to be

discharged from active service because of a reduction in the personnel of the armed forces, a condition of health unfit for continued service as diagnosed and certified by a hospital of the armed forces or other special reasons may be discharged before the expiration of their terms of active service upon approval by a division headquarters or a higher organ.



(2) Active Service and Reserve Service of SoldiersA soldier who is discharged from active service but is qualified for reserve service shall be assigned by his army unit to serve in the

soldiers’ reserve; a soldier who is considered after assessment to be fit for the post of an officer shall serve in the officers’ reserve.A soldier who is retired from active service and is assigned by his or her army unit to perform reserve service shall, within 40 days from

being retired from active service, register for reserve service with the military service organ of the county, autonomous county, city or municipal district of the plate of resettlement.



(3) Active Service and Reserve Service of OfficersOfficers in active service shall be replenished with the following personnel:

(1) graduates from universities and colleges of the army

who are selected from outstanding soldiers and

graduates from ordinary high schools;(2) national defense graduates from regular institutions

of higher learning and other fresh outstanding

graduates;(3) outstanding soldiers directly promoted who have a

diploma of a regular institution of higher learning at

or above the undergraduate level;



(3) Active Service and Reserve Service of OfficersOfficers in active service shall be replenished with the following personnel:

(4) civilian cadres who are transferred to officers in

active service; and(5) professional and technical personnel and other

personnel recruited outside of the armed forces.

In wartime, soldiers, reserve officers called up and personnel of non-military departments may be directly appointed as officers.



(3) Active Service and Reserve Service of OfficersOfficers in reserve service shall consist of the following:

(1) officers who have been discharged from active service and transferred to reserve service;(2) soldiers who have been discharged from active service and assigned to serve in the officers’ reserve;(3) graduates of regular institutions of higher learning assigned to serve in the officers’ reserve;(4) full-time cadres of the departments of people’s armed forces and cadres of the militia assigned to serve in the officers’ reserve;(5) cadres and professional and technical persons of non-military departments assigned to serve in the officers’ reserve.



(1)China pursues a national defense policy which is defensive in nature. In accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and other relevant laws, the armed forces of China undertake the sacred

duty of resisting foreign aggression, defending the motherland, and safeguarding overall social stability and the peaceful labor of its people. To build a fortified national defense and strong armed forces compatible with national security and development interests is a strategic task of

China's modernization, and a common cause of the people of all ethnic groups.

4. The strategy and policy of national defense


(1)China pursues a national defense policy which is defensive in nature. It is determined by China's development path, its fundamental aims, its foreign policy, and its historical and cultural traditions. China unswervingly takes the road of peaceful development, strives to build a harmonious socialist society internally, and promotes

the building of a harmonious world enjoying lasting peace and common prosperity externally.



(1)China pursues a national defense policy which is defensive in nature.China unswervingly advances its reform and opening up as well as socialist modernization, making use of the peaceful international

environment for its own development which in return will contribute to world peace. China unswervingly pursues an independent foreign policy of peace and promotes friendly cooperation with all countries on the basis of

the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.



(1)China pursues a national defense policy which is defensive in nature.China unswervingly maintains its fine cultural traditions and its belief in valuing peace above all else, advocating the settlement of disputes

through peaceful means, prudence on the issue of war, and the strategy of "attacking only after being attacked." China will never seek hegemony, nor will it adopt the approach of military expansion now or in the future, no matter how its economy develops.



(2)The two sides of the Taiwan Strait are destined to ultimate reunification in the course of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It is the responsibility of the both sides of the Straits to work hand in hand to end the history of hostility, and to avoid repeating the history of

armed conflict between fellow countrymen. The two sides should take a positive attitude toward the future, and strive to create favorable conditions to gradually resolve, through

consultation on an equal footing, both issues inherited from the past and new ones that emerge in the development of cross-Strait relations.



(2)The two sides of the Taiwan Strait are destined to ultimate reunification in the course of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.The two sides may discuss political relations in the special situation that China is not yet reunified in a pragmatic manner. The two sides can hold contacts and exchanges on military issues at an appropriate time and talk about a military security mechanism of mutual trust, in a bid to act together to adopt measures to further stabilize cross-Strait relations and ease concerns regarding military security. The two sides should hold consultations on the basis of upholding the one-China principle to formally end hostilities and reach a peace agreement.



(3) The goals and tasks of China's national defense in the new era are defined as follows: -- Safeguarding national sovereignty, security and interests of national development.

China's national defense is tasked to guard against and resist aggression, defend the security of China's lands, inland waters, territorial waters and airspace, safeguard its maritime rights and interests, and maintain its security interests in space, electromagnetic space and cyber space.



(3) The goals and tasks of China's national defense in the new era are defined as follows: It is also tasked to oppose and contain the separatist forces for "Taiwan independence," crack down on separatist forces

for "East Turkistan independence" and "Tibet independence," and defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. National defense is both subordinate to and in service of the country's development and security strategies. It safeguards this important period of strategic opportunities for national development.



(3) The goals and tasks of China's national defense in the new era are defined as follows:China implements the military strategy of active defense of the new era, adheres to the principles of independence and self-defense by the

whole nation, strengthens the construction of its armed forces and that of its border, territorial sea and territorial air defenses, and enhances national strategic capabilities.

China consistently upholds the policy of no first use of nuclear weapons, adheres to a self-defensive nuclear strategy, and will never enter into a nuclear arms race with any other country.



-- Maintaining social harmony and stability.

actively participate in and support national economic and social development, and safeguard national security and social stability in accordance with the law. Exercising to the full their advantageous conditions in human resources, equipment, technology and infrastructure, the armed forces contribute to the building of civilian infrastructure and other engineering construction projects, to poverty-alleviation initiatives, to improvements in people's livelihood, and to ecological and environmental conservation.



-- Maintaining social harmony and stability.

They resolutely undertake urgent, difficult, dangerous, and arduous tasks of emergency rescue and disaster relief, thereby securing lives and property of the people. Taking the maintenance of overall social stability as a critical task, the armed forces resolutely subdue all subversive and sabotage activities by hostile forces, as well as violent and terrorist activities.



-- Accelerating the modernization of national defense and the armed forces.

Bearing in mind the primary goal of accomplishing mechanization and attaining major progress in informationization by 2020, the PLA perseveres with mechanization as the foundation and informationization as the driving force, making extensive use of its achievements in information technology, and stepping up the composite and integrated development of mechanization and informationization.




The PLA has expanded and made profound preparations for overall development of modernization. It intensifies theoretical studies on joint operations under conditions of informationization, advances the development of high-tech weaponry and equipment, develops new types of combat forces, strives to establish joint operation systems in conditions of informationization, accelerates the transition from military training under conditions of mechanization to military training in conditions of informationization,




The state takes economic development and national defense building into simultaneous consideration, adopts a mode of integrated civilian-military development. It endeavors to establish and improve systems of weaponry and equipment research and manufacturing, military personnel training, and logistical support, that integrate military with civilian purposes and combine military efforts with civilian support.



-- Maintaining world peace and stability.

China consistently upholds the new security concepts of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination, advocates the settlement of international disputes and regional flashpoint issues through peaceful means, opposes resort to the use or threat to use of force at will, opposes acts of aggression and expansion, and opposes hegemony and power politics in any form.




China conducts military exchanges with other countries following the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, develops cooperative military relations that are non-aligned, non-confrontational and not directed against any third party, and promotes the establishment of just and effective collective security mechanisms and military confidence-building mechanisms.




China adheres to the concepts of openness, pragmatism and cooperation, expands its participation in international security cooperation, strengthens strategic coordination and consultation with major powers and neighboring countries, enhances military exchanges and cooperation with developing countries, and takes part in UN peace-keeping operations, maritime escort, international counter-terrorism cooperation, and disaster relief operations.


The end ,Thank you!

part six: china military system since the founding of the people's republic of china in 1949,...

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