The organizational structure of China's armed forces: from the six military regions to the theater system, what changes have it undergone?

Due to the important adjustment of the organizational structure of China's armed forces, the military region system has undergone a transformation from the six major military regions to the theater system. This article will elaborate on the initial state of the military region system, the reforms of the Mao Zedong period, and the changes in the theater system since modern times.

The formation of the six major military regions of the Chinese People's Liberation Army

At the time of the birth of the People's Republic of China in 1949, in order to realize the unified regulation and control of military forces throughout the territory, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) designated six military regions, namely, the Northeast, East, Southwest, Northwest, Central and South China Military Regions. This move indicates that the mainland armed forces are on the right track and are gradually realizing centralized management. The major military regions are like feudal officials and enjoy a certain degree of autonomy.

Mao-era reforms

Under the leadership of Mao Zedong, the Chinese military has undergone many refined rectifications and institutional innovations. One of the most influential initiatives was the streamlining of the army, which was implemented in February 1950 to reduce the burden on the country's economy and improve the efficiency of the army by reducing the number of troops and optimizing the establishment system. In addition, during that period, important historical events such as the transformation of local armed forces such as the Northeast People's Autonomous Army, East China, and Southwest China into the People's Liberation Army were born.

From the six major military regions to the theater system

With the changes of the times and the changing needs of national security, the organizational structure of the Chinese People's Liberation Army has also been optimized accordingly. Especially since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China has implemented an epoch-making plan for the reorganization of military regions in order to achieve the mission of strengthening the army and enhance the strength of coordinated operations. This reform has made the command level simpler and more efficient, and at the same time created a "peacetime and wartime" integrated joint command unit, which has further strengthened the central government's overall control over the country's armed forces.

The game between local power and central control

Historically, the commanders of the major military regions have enjoyed the benefit of exercising their powers independently, just like the governors. This particular local power weakened the centralization of power, so that military reform became necessary. Under the requirements of the new era, the country urgently needs a more efficient and unified command system to deal with the complex security situation.

The demands of war and the restructuring of the organization

In different historical periods and changes in the international environment, the focus of China's geostrategy needs to be adjusted in a timely manner to adapt to new challenges. In particular, after the armistice of the Korean War, the security pressure in the southeast has gradually increased, prompting us to redivide and optimize the integration of the existing six major military regions.

Streamlining and reorganization and improving combat effectiveness

In order to enhance the combat effectiveness of the armed forces and ease the financial pressure on the state, the goal of restructuring the armed forces and simplifying the command hierarchy has been successfully achieved by abolishing the corps organs and reducing the number of army establishments.

From provincial units to the theater system

With the advancement of the times and changes in the security environment, since 1954, our army has successively established provincial-level institutions and second-level military regions, indicating that a more complete organizational structure and system that meets practical needs has been formed, and it is gradually moving towards a more centralized and unified command system.

Joint operations command structure building

In order to solve the confusion caused by the traditional independent mountain management and improve the effectiveness of coordinated operations, after the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the reform of the joint command system of "peacetime and wartime integration" was implemented. This new type of command system is no longer limited by the estrangement of arms and has strengthened the centralized control of the central authorities over the armed forces.