Guangzhou Military Region

Guangzhou Military Region was one of the seven major military regions of the People's Liberation Army, responsible for the defense of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and Hong Kong. The region was established in 1955, with its headquarters in Guangzhou, and was under the command of notable leaders such as Ye Jianying, Xu Shiyou, and Zhang Ping. The region played a significant role in the Chinese Civil War, Korean War, and Sino-Vietnamese War, with notable engagements including the Battle of Kuningtou and Battle of the Paracel Islands.

● History

The Guangzhou Military Region was established on July 1, 1955, as part of a major reorganization of the People's Liberation Army by Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, and Peng Dehuai. The region was formed from the Central-South Military Region and the South China Military Region, with its headquarters in Guangzhou. During the Chinese Civil War, the region played a key role in the Liaoshen Campaign and the Pingjin Campaign, with notable commanders including Lin Biao, Luo Ronghuan, and Xu Xiangqian. The region also participated in the Korean War, with troops from the 38th Army and the 42nd Army fighting alongside the North Korean Army and the Soviet Army.

● Organization

The Guangzhou Military Region was composed of several group armies, including the 41st Group Army, 42nd Group Army, and 123rd Division. The region was also home to several naval bases, including the South Sea Fleet and the Guangzhou Naval Base. The region's air force component included the 8th Air Corps and the 9th Air Corps, with aircraft such as the Shenyang J-8 and the Xian H-6. The region was responsible for the defense of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and Hong Kong, with notable military installations including the Humen Naval Base and the Shenzhen Garrison.

● Command Structure

The Guangzhou Military Region was under the command of the Central Military Commission, with its commander and party secretary appointed by the General Secretary and the State Council. The region's command structure included the Guangzhou Military Region Headquarters, with departments for operations, intelligence, and Logistics. Notable commanders of the region included Huang Yongsheng, Xu Shiyou, and Zhang Ping, who played key roles in the Chinese Civil War, Korean War, and Sino-Vietnamese War.

● Equipment and Capabilities

The Guangzhou Military Region was equipped with a range of military equipment, including T-59 and Type 99 tanks, Type 63 and Type 89 armored personnel carriers, and PLZ-05 and PLZ-45 howitzers. The region's air force component included Shenyang J-8 and Xian H-6 aircraft, as well as Chengdu J-10 and Shenyang J-11 fighter jets. The region's naval component included Type 051 and Type 052 destroyers, Type 053 and Type 054 frigates, and Type 039 and Type 041 submarines. The region was also home to several ballistic missile and surface-to-air missile units, including the 2nd Artillery Corps.

● Operations and Exercises

The Guangzhou Military Region participated in several notable military operations and exercises, including the Battle of Kuningtou and the Battle of the Paracel Islands. The region also participated in several international military exercises, including the Sino-Russian joint military exercise and the Sino-Pakistani joint military exercise. The region's troops were also deployed on United Nations peacekeeping missions, including the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. Notable military exercises conducted by the region included the Mission Action and Strait 2011 exercises, which involved troops from the 41st Group Army and the 42nd Group Army.

● Reorganization and Dissolution

In 2016, the Guangzhou Military Region was reorganized and dissolved as part of a major restructuring of the People's Liberation Army by Xi Jinping and the Central Military Commission. The region's troops and equipment were transferred to the Southern Theater Command, which was established on February 1, 2016. The Southern Theater Command is responsible for the defense of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and Hong Kong, and is headquartered in Guangzhou. The command is under the leadership of notable commanders such as Wang Jiaocheng and Huang Ming, and has participated in several notable military exercises, including the Sino-Russian joint military exercise and the Sino-Pakistani joint military exercise.

Category:Military units and formations established in 1955 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 2016