China’s navy expands marine corps into own unit ‘to defend maritime interests’
- State broadcaster confirms the move without revealing size of the new unit, which will remain part of PLA Navy
- Military observers say it’s a response to the growing need for amphibious operations amid rising tensions over the South China Sea and Taiwan
China’s navy has significantly expanded its marine corps, which is now operating in its own unit, according to the state broadcaster, though it did not reveal the size.
“The marine corps has been expanded and upgraded to a unit of its own,” the report on CCTV said.
But unlike the US Marine Corps, which operates in parallel to the army, navy and air force, the Chinese unit will remain part of the navy.
“The amphibious combat force has made progress and it is now taking a more comprehensive approach to development,” the report last week said. “This transformation has optimised the navy structure and the distribution of its functions.”
Earlier this year, a US-based think tank, the Jamestown Foundation, estimated that the Chinese military would expand its marine corps from two brigades to eight, with a total of about 40,000 troops.