Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China

Summary

The Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China (Chinese: 中华人民共和国国防部; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Guófángbù), or the "National Defense Ministry" (Chinese: 国防部; pinyin: Guófángbù) for short, is the second-ranked constituent department under the State Council. It is headed by the Minister of National Defense.

Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China
中华人民共和国国防部
Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Guófángbù

August 1st Building
Agency overview
Formed28 September 1954; 69 years ago (1954-09-28)
TypeConstituent Department of the State Council (cabinet-level executive department)
JurisdictionGovernment of China
HeadquartersMinistry of National Defense Compound ("August 1st Building"), Fuxing Road, Beijing
Minister responsible
Parent agencyCentral Military Commission
Websiteeng.mod.gov.cn Edit this at Wikidata (in English)

Unlike in other countries, the Ministry of National Defense does not have operational command over the Chinese military including the People's Liberation Army (PLA), which is instead commanded by the Central Military Commission (CMC). The work of the Ministry and the Minister are primarily diplomatic in nature, generally functioning as the a liaison representing the CMC and PLA when dealing with foreign militaries.

Overview edit

The MND was set up according to a decision adopted by the 1st Session of the 1st National People's Congress in 1954. In contrast to practice in other nations, the MND does not exercise command authority over the army including the People's Liberation Army (PLA), which is instead subordinate to the Central Military Commission (CMC). The MND serves as a liaison representing the CMC and PLA when dealing with foreign militaries in military exchange and cooperation. It has the primary responsibility for China's defense attachés and is the institutional point of contact for foreign defense attachés assigned to China.[1]: 220  It is additionally responsible for publishing news about military affairs.[2]

Structure edit

The Ministry is headed by a Minister of National Defense; unlike in other countries, the minister does not have command authority over the army, generally exercising diplomatic functions.[3] However, the office has always been held by a member of the CMC.[4]

See also edit

References edit

Citations edit

  1. ^ Shinn, David H.; Eisenman, Joshua (2023). China's Relations with Africa: a New Era of Strategic Engagement. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-21001-0.
  2. ^ Morris, Lyle J. (27 October 2022). "What China's New Central Military Commission Tells Us About Xi's Military Strategy". Asia Society. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  3. ^ Torode, Greg; Tian, Yew Lun (2023-09-18). "China's military hierarchy under spotlight after defence minister disappears". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  4. ^ Liu, Zhen (18 October 2022). "What is China's Central Military Commission and why is it so powerful?". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 18 September 2023.

Sources edit

  • "Ministry of National Defence". SinoDefence.com. Archived from the original on 2007-11-09. Retrieved 2007-11-21.

External links edit

  • Official website