Peoples Liberation Army

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is the military arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the armed forces of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Unlike militaries in traditional nation-states, the PLA is institutionally and constitutionally subordinate to the CCP rather than the state, functioning as the guarantor of party rule and national security. It is one of the world’s largest and fastest modernising military organisations, comprising multiple branches and specialised arms, and operating under the supreme authority of the Central Military Commission (CMC).
Formed through the consolidation of communist forces during the Chinese Civil War, the PLA has since developed into a sophisticated military institution with global significance. Its strategic evolution, political integration and modern capabilities reflect changes in China’s domestic priorities and international ambitions.

Structure and Organisation

The PLA consists of four primary military branches:

• Ground Force
• Navy
• Air Force
• Rocket Force

It also includes four specialised arms:

• Aerospace Force
• Cyberspace Force
• Information Support Force
• Joint Logistics Support Force

The Central Military Commission serves as the supreme command authority. By longstanding political practice, the Chairman of the CMC is also the General Secretary of the CCP, providing unified party leadership over the armed forces. The Ministry of National Defense interfaces with foreign governments but exercises no actual command authority.
PLA forces are organised into five theatre commands based on geographical defence responsibilities. The PLA maintains one of the world’s largest active-duty forces and possesses the second-largest defence budget globally. China’s military expenditure, estimated at USD 314 billion in 2024, supports rapid modernisation, technological innovation and expanded power-projection capabilities.

Mission and Political Role

The PLA’s primary mission is the defence of the CCP, the PRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and national development interests. The party emphasises strict civilian (party) control over the military to ensure loyalty and political reliability.
Hu Jintao’s 2004 formulation of the PLA’s core mission includes:

• safeguarding CCP leadership,
• protecting national sovereignty and development,
• maintaining China’s strategic interests,
• contributing to world peace.

China describes its strategic posture as one of active defence, summarised in the 2015 defence white paper: “We will not attack unless we are attacked, but we will surely counterattack if attacked.”
The PLA and the paramilitary People’s Armed Police hold the largest delegation in the National People’s Congress, demonstrating their political institutional presence. All delegates from these bodies are CCP members.

Early History

The PLA traces its origins to 1 August 1927, when communist elements within the National Revolutionary Army launched the Nanchang Uprising, marking the beginning of the CCP’s armed struggle. Initially known as the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army, these forces survived successive Nationalist campaigns and undertook the Long March (1934–1935), which helped consolidate CCP leadership.
During the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945), communist forces were nominally integrated into the National Revolutionary Army as the Eighth Route Army and New Fourth Army. These units conducted guerrilla warfare, expanded their recruitment base and strengthened organisational cohesion.
In 1947, the CCP unified these forces under the name People’s Liberation Army. The PLA ultimately prevailed in the Chinese Civil War, leading to the proclamation of the PRC in 1949.

Reorganisation and Expansion (1949–1960s)

Following the establishment of the PRC, the PLA underwent major structural reforms. Leadership bodies for the Air Force and Navy were created in 1949–1950, and additional branches such as artillery, armoured forces, air defence, and public security units soon followed. Specialised engineering, logistics and communications forces were also developed.
In its early decades, the PLA’s composition overwhelmingly reflected China’s peasant majority. Egalitarian treatment of soldiers and officers, along with the absence of a formal rank system until 1955, contrasted with traditional hierarchical norms. The PLA thus became a vehicle for social mobility and a central institution in early PRC governance and foreign policy.
The Korean War (1950–1953) marked the PLA’s first major international conflict. Under the name People’s Volunteer Army, Chinese troops intervened as UN forces neared the Yalu River. Their involvement pushed UN forces southwards, demonstrating China’s military resolve and catalysing rapid modernisation of the Air Force.
In the following years, the PLA engaged in border conflicts such as the 1962 Sino-Indian War. Commanders in this era often held their posts for extended periods, contributing to regional stability within the military hierarchy.

Modernisation and Strategic Development

Since 1949, the PLA has adopted nine strategic guidelines, reflecting shifts in doctrine and capability. Major strategic updates occurred in 1956, 1980 and 1993, corresponding to broader reforms in Chinese defence and foreign policy.
Key modernisation trends include:

• transition from a large, manpower-intensive force to a technologically advanced, joint-capable military;
• development of precision-strike, naval and air power projection capabilities;
• integration of cyber, space and information warfare components;
• emphasis on integrated joint operations across land, sea, air, cyber and space domains.

The PLA Rocket Force plays a central role in China’s strategic deterrence, overseeing both conventional and nuclear missile systems. The expansion of naval forces and overseas basing arrangements indicates China’s growing interest in regional influence and global security presence.

Role in Peacetime and Territorial Disputes

Beyond wartime readiness, the PLA is active in peacetime security operations. Its coordination with the People’s Armed Police and China Coast Guard is especially visible in territorial disputes, particularly in the South China Sea. The overlap between military and paramilitary operations allows China to project power while managing conflict escalation risks.

Contemporary Significance

The PLA is widely regarded as one of the world’s fastest-modernising militaries and a potential future military superpower. Its strategic posture, technological advancements and political integration with the CCP make it a central actor in both regional and global security dynamics. With a combination of historical legacy, party loyalty and modern military development, the PLA remains fundamental to China’s national identity, governance structure and international ambitions.