The Militia (Chinese: 民兵; pinyin: Mínbīng)[1] or China Militia (Chinese: 中国民兵;

pinyin: Zhōngguó Mínbīng) is the militia part of the armed forces of China, other two parts
being the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the People's Armed Police (PAP).[1] The
Militia is under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC)[2] and serves as an
auxiliary and reserve force for the PLA.[5] It is one of the largest militias in the world.

History[edit]
The role of the militia has varied over the years. During the 1940s the militia served as a
support force for PLA. After 1949 the party consolidated control over the country and used
the militia to maintain Law and order in the country and for defense of the borders and coast.
In the mid-1950s, Peng Dehuai attempted to build the militia as a reserve force. However, his
efforts were thwarted, when the party expanded the militia, assigning it duties as an internal
security force during the Great Leap Forward. Lin Biao reduced the size of the militia and
reemphasized military training in the early 1960s. The militia was fragmented during the
early years of the Cultural Revolution, but in the 1970s it was rebuilt to support the PLA. The
Gang of Four also attempted to build up the urban militia as an alternative to the PLA, but the
urban militia failed to support the Gang of Four, when Hua Guofeng and other moderate
military leaders deposed them. The militia's logistical support of the PLA was essential
during the Sino-Vietnamese War. In the 1980s, Chinese leaders improved the militia's
capabilities by reducing its size and economic works.

Roles and tasks[edit]

According to Article 22 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on National Defence,
the Militia, under the command of military organs, shoulders the tasks of preparations against
war and defence operations, and assists in maintaining public order.[1]

According to Article 36 of the Military Service Law of the People's Republic of China, the
Militia's tasks are:[5]

1. take an active part in the socialist modernization drive and be exemplary in completing the tasks
in production and other fields;
2. undertake the duties related to preparations against war, defend the frontiers and maintain
public order; and
3. be always ready to join the armed forces to take part in war, resist aggression and defend the
motherland.

The militia is organized into regional militia corps in every theater command of the PLA,
which in turn oversee militia divisions and subordinate formations, and is subdivided into
specialty militia units. It is overseen by the National Defense Mobilization Commission,
which can order the deployment of its personnel during peacetime and wartime contingencies
as may be ordered by the President of the PRC, who, as General Secretary of the Party and
Chairman of the Central Military Commission, is overall supreme commander of the armed
services of the Republic.
Maritime Militia[edit]
China Maritime Militia (CMM) is a subset of China’s national militia. The CMM trains with
and supports the People's Liberation Army Navy and the China Coast Guard in tasks
including[3]

 safeguarding maritime claims

 protecting fisheries
 logistics
 search and rescue (SAR)
 surveillance and reconnaissance

In the South China Sea, the CMM plays a major role in controversial maritime activities to
achieve China’s political goals.[3]

See also[edit]
 Maoism
 Mass line
 People's war
 Paramilitary forces of China
 People's Armed Police
 China Coast Guard
 Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps
 National Defense Mobilization Commission under the State Council
 National Defense Mobilization Department of the Central Military Commission