China (PRC) - Force Structures

摘要

The principle of dual command is observed at all levels in the military structure. At the highest level, the state organization concerned with defense is the National Defense Council, which is closely watched and supervised by the Party's Military Affairs Committee. These two committees supervise the Ministry of Defense. The ministry is served by a number of departments, including the Ground Forces General Staff, the General Rear Services Department, the General Political Department, the Navy Department, and the Air Force Department. Each department includes a party committee.rnChina's total armed forces number some 2.185 million, with about 1.27 million conscripts, including 136,000 women. Reserves number about 800,000. Terms of service are selective conscription with all conscripts serving two years regardless of service branch.rnChina is in the process of downsizing its armed forces. The Chinese People's Liberation Army has already demobilized 1 million men since 1985, and a further reduction of 500,000 troops to about 1.85 million was announced in the spring of 2003. The Xinhua news agency said that China's Army was being modernized, with intensive training on the use of modern equipment and facilities. Currently, CPLA strength stands at 1.6 million and continues to decline.