People's Liberation Army Ground Force

People's Liberation Army Ground Force. It is the land-based service branch of the People's Liberation Army, constituting the world's largest active-duty ground force. Tracing its origins to the Nanchang Uprising in 1927, it has been a decisive instrument in the establishment of the People's Republic of China and the defense of its national sovereignty. The force is under the absolute command of the Central Military Commission and is a cornerstone of China's comprehensive national power.

History

The force's lineage begins with the Chinese Red Army, formed during the Chinese Civil War following the Nanchang Uprising led by figures like Zhou Enlai and Zhu De. It was instrumental in the Long March and the subsequent Second Sino-Japanese War, where it fought alongside the National Revolutionary Army against the Imperial Japanese Army. After World War II, it secured victory in the civil war against the Kuomintang, leading to the proclamation of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Major conflicts post-establishment include the Korean War against United Nations Command forces, the Sino-Indian War of 1962, and the Sino-Vietnamese War of 1979. Throughout the late 20th century, it underwent significant modernization under leaders like Deng Xiaoping, shifting from a mass infantry force to a more technologically advanced military.

Organization

The ground force is organized into five Theater Commands: Eastern Theater Command, Southern Theater Command, Western Theater Command, Northern Theater Command, and Central Theater Command. Its primary combat formations include Group Armies, which are combined arms formations integrating infantry, armored corps, artillery, and army aviation units. Specialized branches include the PLA Rocket Force for strategic missiles and the PLA Strategic Support Force for space, cyber, and electronic warfare, though these operate as separate services. The People's Armed Police handles internal security but can operate under the ground force's coordination during national defense missions.

Equipment

The inventory has transitioned from Soviet-era designs to modern indigenous systems. Main battle tanks include the Type 99 and the newer Type 15. The force fields a wide array of infantry fighting vehicles such as the ZBD-04 and armored personnel carriers like the ZBL-08. Artillery systems range from the PLZ-05 self-propelled howitzer to the PCL-181 truck-mounted howitzer and advanced multiple rocket launchers like the PHL-16. Army aviation operates attack helicopters including the CAIC Z-10 and utility helicopters like the Harbin Z-20. Modern infantry equipment includes the QBZ-95 rifle family and the HJ-12 anti-tank guided missile.

Personnel and training

Service is based on a combination of conscription and voluntary enlistment, with conscripts serving two-year terms. Officer education is conducted through a tiered system of military academies, with the PLA National Defense University and the PLA Army Engineering University being premier institutions. Training emphasizes combined arms operations, joint warfare with the PLA Navy and PLA Air Force, and realistic combat exercises such as those held at the Zhurihe Training Base. Political education, overseen by the political commissar system, remains integral, focusing on loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party and its leadership.

Role and deployments

Its primary role is to safeguard China's territorial integrity, including disputed regions like Taiwan, the South China Sea, and borders with India and Bhutan. It maintains a significant permanent presence in areas such as the Xinjiang and Tibet through the Xinjiang Military District and Tibet Military District. The force also contributes extensively to United Nations peacekeeping missions in regions like South Sudan and Lebanon. Domestically, it supports disaster relief operations, as seen during the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, and participates in major national ceremonies in Tiananmen Square.

Category:Military of China Ground Force