personnel
The People's Liberation Army of China (also known as the PLA) is China's military force under the Communist Party of China. The PLA dates back as far as 1927, first appearing during the Nanchang Uprising. It was first named the Red Army of Workers and Peasants ("Chinese Military | Lowy Institute", 2016). During the Chinese Civil War, the name was changed to the People's Liberation Army. When the People's Republic of China was formed in 1949 by Mao Zedong, he made the PLA the official armed forces. With approximately 2.3 million people enlisted, the PLA is the largest military force in the world. The PLA operates under the Central Military Commission. Five branches encompass the PLA, being the Ground Force, Air Force, Navy, Rocket Force, and Strategic Support Force. The goals of the PLA are: to enforce communist rule, help China maintain world peace and it's interests, and domestic security for development (Sahay, 2016). In early 2016, the PLA went through heavy reform. For more information about the reform, click here.
chain of command and members
Chairman
Xi Jinping
General of the Communist Party of China, President of the People's Republic
General of the Communist Party of China, President of the People's Republic
Korea china press conference by Cheong Wa dae used under CC BY-ND
Vice Chairmen
Members
China's Minister of Defense by Chuck Hagel used under CC BY
General Chang Wanquan
Minister of Defense |
Fang Fenghui: Chinese General by defenselink.mil is in the public domain
General Fang Fenghui
Chief of the Joint Staff |
Adm Wu, Shengli, by MC 1st Class Tiffany M. Jones is found in the public domain
Admiral Wu Shengli
Commander of PLA Navy |
Lieutenant General Wei Fenghe, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army in Beijing by the Australian Department of Affairs and Foreign Trade is found in the Public Domain
General Wei Fenghe
Commander of PLA Rocket Force |
Ltd.Gen Ma Xiaotian visited US.by TSgt. Jerry Morrison is found in the public domain
General Ma Xiaotian
Commander of PLA Air Force |
General Li Zuocheng
PLA Army Chief (Image not available) |
Lieutenant General Gao Jin
Strategic Support Force Chief (Image not available) |
For more information regarding the PLA's Organizational Structure, click here.
Enlistment
Requirements:
|
|
uniform
The most recent and widespread uniform of the PLA is called the '07 Uniform. The uniforms are meant to resemble western military uniforms with the chest insignia, showing the rank and length of service each individual has in the PLA ("The Uniform of Armed Forces -- china.org.cn", 2007). The different colors account for the length of existence of the PLA. The Ground Force has a pine green color, the Navy dark blue, a greyish-blue for the Air Force, and a tan/khaki color or green for the Rocket Force ("The Uniform of Armed Forces -- china.org.cn", 2007). No information could be found about the Strategic Support Force uniforms. Each branch has seasonal style uniforms, from shortsleeves to longsleeves and pants or skirts. There are also alternate uniforms or styles, such as camoflauge.
|
PLA uniform - exhibit - Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence, HKMCD, Shau Kei Wan, Hong Kong by Cyethansami used under CC BY-SA
|
Header Image:
The Chinese Military by the LA Times used under CC BY
The Chinese Military by the LA Times used under CC BY
References:
Chen, G. (2016). IPP Review--New Roles Played by Different PLA Departments after China’s Military Reform. Ippreview.com. Retrieved 14 November 2016, from http://ippreview.com/index.php/Home/Blog/single/id/112.html
Lockie, A. (2016). How the world's largest military stacks up to the US armed forces. Business Insider. Retrieved 8 November 2016, from http://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-us-military-comparison-2016-8/#overview-of-chinas-military-forces-1
Sahay, D. (2016). History of China's Military. Google Books. Retrieved 7 November 2016, from https://books.google.com/books?id=pYkvDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT39&lpg=PT39&dq=chinese+military+equipment+and+resources&source=bl&ots=YraSu17h0p&sig=u5bx-Qy3opgxoeyzsmACK0yWxNI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiOzO3Rp6vQAhVI2IMKHbwBBps4ChDoAQg9MAc#v=onepage&q=chinese%20military%20equipment%20and%20resources&f=false
Shi, T. (2014). In China, Joining the Army Will Cost You. Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 10 November 2016, from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-07-17/chinese-army-applicants-pay-recruiters-to-get-limited-slots
The Uniform of Armed Forces -- china.org.cn. (2007). China.org.cn. Retrieved 12 November 2016, from http://www.china.org.cn/english/China/218830.htm
Chen, G. (2016). IPP Review--New Roles Played by Different PLA Departments after China’s Military Reform. Ippreview.com. Retrieved 14 November 2016, from http://ippreview.com/index.php/Home/Blog/single/id/112.html
Lockie, A. (2016). How the world's largest military stacks up to the US armed forces. Business Insider. Retrieved 8 November 2016, from http://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-us-military-comparison-2016-8/#overview-of-chinas-military-forces-1
Sahay, D. (2016). History of China's Military. Google Books. Retrieved 7 November 2016, from https://books.google.com/books?id=pYkvDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT39&lpg=PT39&dq=chinese+military+equipment+and+resources&source=bl&ots=YraSu17h0p&sig=u5bx-Qy3opgxoeyzsmACK0yWxNI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiOzO3Rp6vQAhVI2IMKHbwBBps4ChDoAQg9MAc#v=onepage&q=chinese%20military%20equipment%20and%20resources&f=false
Shi, T. (2014). In China, Joining the Army Will Cost You. Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 10 November 2016, from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-07-17/chinese-army-applicants-pay-recruiters-to-get-limited-slots
The Uniform of Armed Forces -- china.org.cn. (2007). China.org.cn. Retrieved 12 November 2016, from http://www.china.org.cn/english/China/218830.htm