China brings People’s Armed Police under control of top military chiefs
Paramilitary force will answer to body headed by President Xi Jinping
China will bring its paramilitary police force, the People’s Armed Police, under the direct control of the Central Military Commission, which controls the country’s armed forces, state media reported on Wednesday.
The 1.5 million-strong paramilitary police force previously came under a dual command structure of the CMC and the State Council, or cabinet, via the Ministry of Public Security. It serves as a backup for the military in times of war, and domestically has a role in putting down protests and counterterrorism – particularly in areas such as the restive far western Xinjiang region – as well as border defence and firefighting.
Since taking power five years ago, President Xi Jinping has overseen a sweeping modernisation of the People’s Liberation Army, the world’s largest military force, laying off troops, streamlining its organisation and investing in advanced weapons.
The paramilitary police force underwent a leadership reshuffle in 2014 that saw its commander and political commissar replaced with PLA officers. Xi ally Wang Ning, who had no police force experience, took the helm.
