The Chinese People’s Liberation Army in 95 years. 

Published: August 02,2022

By Staff writer 

Originally called the “Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army,” the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) celebrated its 95^th anniversary on August 1, having ben founded by the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 1927. The PLA fought hard for the attainment of independence and played a significant role in the development of China. The war with the Kuomintang, killed thousands of communists and sympathizers, whose blood became the price of the present day peaceful and prosperous China.  On August 1, all these comrades who sacrificed their lives for the good of the nation were remembered.

The history of the PLA is not a bed of roses. They fought bitter wars with foreign aggressors and they emerged victors. For example, in 1937, Japan launched a full scale invasion of China. The Red Army walked thousands of Kilometers to overcome the siege of the Kuomintang forces, and bravely continued the fight against Japanese invaders. It is recorded in history that, “China’s resistance against Japanese aggression was one of the most heroic chapters of the World Anti-Fascist War. “

In 1945-49 during the war of Liberation, the PLA was considered ill equipped compared to US supported rebels-Kuomintang soldiers. However, the resilience and patriotism of the PLA finally lead to victory and independence in October 1949, under the leadership of CPC and its leader Mao Zedong. – “the Chinese people have stood up,” Mao declared in his famous speech at the rostrums of Tiananmen square.

Fast forward, The PLA today, is a strong and modernized army with cutting edge techno weapons that can defend the sovereignty and territorial boundaries of China, with no fear of suffering another threat of humiliation by external aggressors. Zhou Bo, a senior fellow at the Center for International Security and Strategy with Tsinghua University told media that, “If we look back at the 95-year history of the PLA, we would conclude that it is the armed forces that have grown from strength to strength and China’s military is now among the best. 

The PLA ambition for modernization is traced in the late 1970s and 1990s, when dramatic reform were realized. The modernization involved both constant updates of doctrine, as well as improvement of equipment and organizational structure in accordance with China’s dynamic   demands of warfare. Apart from strengthening domestic defence, today, the PLA is playing a significant role in world peace and security, where they take part in peace keeping operations all over the world. China is the second biggest financial contributor to the U.N. peacekeeping budget, providing an estimated $6 billion a year, covering 15% of costs.

It is believed that after decades of modernization supported by steady defense budget increases and other policies that promote military-technological advances, the PLA has become a formidable military with growing power projection capabilities. China’s armed forces are improving capabilities in every domain of warfare, have superior capabilities in many areas, and are eroding U.S. military advantages in certain areas.

Ahead of the a 95th anniversary of the founding of the PLA, President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for a “comprehensive upgrade” in China’s armed forces in order to cultivate competent military personnel, a key step guided by the country’s goal of “building a strong army in the new era.”

Xi called on continued efforts to strengthen military personnel training to enhance their senses of responsibility, mission and urgency. “[We] must make sure that the guns should always be carried in the hands of someone who’s loyal to the Party.” He made the remarks at the study session, emphasizing CPC’s “absolute leadership” over the military in all respects.