| People's Armed Police Force | |
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 Flag of the Force (since 10 January 2018) | |
 Roundel of People's Armed Police helicopters | |
![Badge of the Force (since 1 August 2021)[a]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aChinese_People%2527s_Armed_Police_Force_(CAPF)_cap_insignia_(2021).svg) Badge of the Force (since 1 August 2021)[a] | |
 Sleeve badge of the Force | |
| Common name | 武警部队 (Wǔjǐng Bùduì; 'Armed Police Force') |
| Abbreviation | PAP ("People's Armed Police") Wujing (武警;Wǔjǐng; 'Armed Police'), orWJ as on vehicle license plates |
| Motto | 为人民服务 (Serve the People) |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed |
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| Employees | 1.5 million |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| National agency (Operations jurisdiction) | China |
| Operations jurisdiction | China |
| Legal jurisdiction | People's Republic of China |
| Governing body | Central Military Commission |
| Constituting instrument |
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| General nature | |
| Specialist jurisdictions |
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| Operational structure | |
| Overseen by | Central Military Commission |
| Headquarters | Haidian District,Beijing |
| Agency executives |
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| Parent agency | Central Military Commission |
| Child agencies |
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| Notables | |
| Anniversaries |
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| Website | |
| chinamil.com.cn | |
| Chinese People's Armed Police Force | |||||||
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| Simplified Chinese | 中国人民武装警察部队 | ||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 中國人民武裝警察部隊 | ||||||
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| People's Armed Police | |||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 人民武装警察 | ||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 人民武裝警察 | ||||||
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| China Armed Police | |||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 中国武警 | ||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 中國武警 | ||||||
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| Armed Police [Force] | |||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 武警［部队］ | ||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 武警［部隊］ | ||||||
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| People's Liberation Army |
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| Executive departments |
| Staff |
| Services |
| Arms |
| Domestic troops |
| Special operations forces |
| Military districts |
| History of the Chinese military |
| Military ranks of China |
ThePeople's Armed Police Force[3][b] is a Chinesegendarmerie organization[4]: 121 primarily responsible forinternal security,riot control,counter-terrorism,disaster response,law enforcement andmaritime rights protection[5] as well as providing support to thePeople's Liberation Army (PLA) during wartime.[6]: 87
Unlike the civilianPeople's Police,[c] the PAP[d] is a specialized paramilitary force reporting directly to theCentral Military Commission (CMC) of theChinese Communist Party (CCP). PAP officers and soldiers weardark olive green uniforms, different frompine green uniforms of thePeople's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) or the light blue and black uniforms of the People's Police. Additionally, People's Armed Police police officers areactive duty service members and receive veteran's benefits.[7]
The PAP is estimated to have a total strength of 1.5 million. It was established in its current form in 1982, but similar security forces have operated since the founding of thePeople's Republic of China in 1949. During theMaoist era, the PAP's predecessors were theChinese People's Public Security Force, initially under the MPS, and later thePublic Security Corps which was under the command of the PLA.[8]
The history of the People's Armed Police is as long as that of the People's Republic, and its origin can be traced back to the People's Liberation Army, which was responsible for both defending the nation from foreign invasions and maintaining internal security. Although the force was officially established in 1982, its constituent units stretch back to 1949.[9]
In July 1949, the CMC decided to establish theMinistry of Public Security (MPS) withLuo Ruiqing as its minister to organize the public security forces in the nation.[8] In August 1949, several security and public order units of theFourth Field Army were consolidated into theCentral Column of theChinese People's Public Security Force (PSF) to guard theParty and State leaders and to keep the public order in thecapital.[8] The Central Column provided security for the inauguration ceremony of the People's Republic.[8] From December 1949 to May 1950, regional security forces, along with the now dissolved Central Column, had been consolidated into divisions under the PSF.[8]
The PSF was assigned to the PLA and became the PLAPublic Security Force in September 1950, and the PLAPublic Security Corps in July 1955, reporting under the Central Military Commission of the CCP and the National Defense Council of the People's Republic.[8][4] Luo Ruiqing was appointed as the commander and political commissar of the PSF in September 1950 and remained on the posts until 1959, retaining the command of the PSF.[8][10]
As of 1960, the Public Security Corps was organized in 8,200-strong Public Security Divisions, which were deemed not capable of independent, sustained, full-scale combat operations.[11]
After numerous reorganizations and transfers of control between the PLA and the MPS, the People's Armed Police was created on 19 June 1982, combining the previous armed police,border guards andChina Fire Services [zh].[8] The headquarter was set up in the MPS as a subordinate department.[12] The establishment of the PAP highlighted the efforts to increase the professionalization of the security apparatus, as well as the absorption of numerous PLA demobilized personnel,[13]: 228–229 in the wake of growing unrest.[13]: 229 The PAP was officially founded on April 5, 1983.[14]
The PAP was led by both the local government and superior PAP forces, which is called "Dual-Leadership"(双重领导). In practice, the local government (including the local party committee, local people's government and the local public security bureau) carries more weight. However, there were many confusions and loopholes caused by this ambiguous organization structure.
In the mid and late 1990s, CCPgeneral secretaryJiang Zemin significantly expanded and strengthened the PAP, with more than 100,000 new troops.[15] Jiang praised the PAP, describing it as "a major force for maintaining state security and social stability, the People's Armed Police shoulders a massive and formidable burden" and deployed it extensively inXinjiang andTibet.[15]
Up until 2013, the Border Defense Coast Guard was a part of the PAP. In 2013, it was separated and transferred to the direct control of theMinistry of Public Security and theState Oceanic Administration. However, in March 2018, it was announced that the Coast Guard would be placed under the People's Armed Police Force once again since the State Oceanic Administration was disbanded, but now as an independent branch reporting directly to PAP headquarters.[16]
Until 31 December 2017, the People's Armed Police had a dual command structure including the Central Military Commission (CMC) and theState Council through theMinistry of Public Security (MPS).[6]: 18
Prior to the 2018 reform, the People's Armed Police was further divided into eight corps: Internal Guard, Gold, Forestry, Hydropower, Transportation, Border Defense, Firefighting, and Safeguard Corps.[13]: 232 The Internal Guard Corps, which makes up for the bulk of PAP, is under the PAP Headquarters and reports thus to the party central committee and the CMC (Central Military Commission). The Gold, Forestry, Hydropower, and Transportation Corps, collectively known as the Specialist Corps, were by then under the joint leadership of PAP Headquarters and their respective ministries in the State Council.[13]: 232 The Border Defense, Firefighting, and Guard Corps, collectively known as the Public Security Corps, were then under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS).[13]: 232
By law however, the PAP operates separately from the PLA.[6]: 18 and, in terms of conducting public security operations and relevant capability building, the PAP Headquarters is under the leadership and command of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS).
From 1 January 2018, command of the People's Armed Police is jointly held by theCCP central committee and the Central Military Commission (CMC), with the PAP no longer subordinate to the State Council.[17]
The reform was reportedly carried out in order to deprive the localChinese Communist Party authorities of the power to use the PAP units to commit abuses or against the leadership in Beijing, especially after theWang Lijun incident in which the PAP was allegedly abused by provincial party secretaryBo Xilai to surround the US Consulate inChongqing after a falling out withWang, the police chief of Chongqing at the time. Under the 2018 reforms, local authorities now need central approval in order to deploy the PAP.[18]
On 10 January 2018, the PAP received a new flag following the design of the branch flags of thePLA with three olive stripes at the bottom. The three olive stripes represents the People's Armed Police responsible for the three main tasks and force composition of maintaining national political security and social stability, maritime rights protection and law enforcement, and defense operations.[19]
On 21 March 2018, the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party unveiled a reform plan for the People's Armed Police Force as part of thedeepening the reform of the Party and state institutions.[20] Under this plan, the non-combatant elements of the PAP, the Gold, Forestry, Hydropower, Border Defense, Firefighting, and Guard Corps, are to be removed and the CCG is to be consolidated with PAP.[21] As of March 2018, the PAP is working with the Central Committee and the relevant organs for the transfer of non-combatant elements into civil service.[21] The Transportation Corps is the only remaining component of the Specialist Corps.
Until 2018, the Specialist Corps were responsible in constructing and maintaining highways and roads, surveying mineral deposits, fighting forest fires, and constructing large scale[22] waterworks like dams and levees as well as for water works maintenance.[23] The PAP is also called upon in emergency rescue and disaster relief operations within the PRC via the specialist and public security forces which can be forward deployed during such operations.[23]
With the 2018 reforms, Specialist Corps other than the Transportation Corps have been placed under other ministries. China Coast Guard (CCG) was transferred from State Council to PAP command, and the Transportation Corps has some units under the Mobile Corps.[22]: 15
The Border Defense Corps and Guards Corps have been absorbed by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS). The Forestry Corps were merged with theChina Fire Services [zh] (also known as the firefighting corps) of the MPS and reorganized asChina Fire and Rescue (CF&R), it was placed under theMinistry of Emergency Management. The Gold Corps and Hydropower Corps have been transformed into state-owned enterprises under the supervision of the relevant State Council ministries (Ministry of Natural Resources andChina National Gold Group Corporation and China Aneng Construction Corporation, respectively).[22]: 15 [24]
From the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the paramilitary public security force has been reorganized numerous times. The current designation since 1982, thePeople's Armed Police, was first used between 1959 and 1963.[4][25]
The People's Armed Police is formally regulated by the People's Armed Police Law of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国人民武装警察法), adopted and effective since 27 August 2009.[26]
The People's Armed Police's primary mission is internal security. The Law on the People's Armed Police Force (PAPF), passed in August 2009, giving it statutory authority to respond to riots, terrorist attacks or other emergencies.[5][27] Such units guard government buildings at all levels (including party and state organizations, foreign embassies and consulates), provide security to public corporations and major public events, as well as counter-terrorism and handling of public emergencies.[28] Some units guard civilian prisons andprovide executioners for the state. The PAP also maintainstacticalcounter-terrorism (CT) units such as theSnow Wolf Commando Unit and variousSpecial Operations/Police units.[29]
In the Chinese policing system, the PAP is tasked with managing protests (otherwise referred to as "mass incidents") and protecting important facilities and events, while public security police investigates crime and maintain public order.[4]: 119 The PAP assists the regular police in high-risk operations, set up roadblocks and protects crime scenes. It also conducts preventive patrol under the leadership of thepublic security bureaus, sometimes in conjunction with them. When dealing with mass incidents and armed offenders, responsibility shifts to the People's Armed Police.[4]: 123–125
The PAP maintains units tasked with responding to any possible armed mutinies by PLA soldiers. In wartime deployments the PAP can assist theGround Force and theNavy.[6]: 87
While the People's Armed Police is principally charged with internal security and guarding key facilities and installations, it also operates as part of the international security efforts of the People's Republic of China, against both terrorism and organized crime. Mathieu Duchâtel for The National Bureau of Asian Research identifies the legal basis of the PAP missions abroad in Article 71 of the 2015 Counter-terrorism Law. According Armed Police Force University professor Zhou Jian, counterterrorism is a task provided by law for the People's Armed Police and operating missions abroad is an "irreplaceable means".[30]: 14–15
The People's Armed Police send personnel abroad to receive training or provide training and participates in counter-terrorism exercises, especially acrossCentral Asia in bilateral and multilateral agreements.[30]: 65 [31]: 26 [32] PAP special operations forces are also deployed in the Chinese embassies of Baghdad and Kabul for the purposes of protection of diplomatic staff and property.[30]: 15
Since 2011, the People's Armed Police has also conducted operations along theMekong river with the security forces ofThailand,Myanmar andCambodia. These operations are aimed against organized crime.[30]: 13
Since 2014, the People's Republic of China established a security cooperation withTajikistan andAfghanistan on Afghan border, near theWakhan Corridor and inGorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region. The People's Armed Police is the main force for both bilateral and trilateral counterterrorism operations (mainly reconnaissance patrols in remote areas), being deployed south of Shaymak; the PAP has also conducted training for Tajik security forces.[30]: 13, 84–87
The Border Defense Corps has also been deployed inUN Peacekeeping operations. Between 2006 and 2018, the Border Defense Corps was deployed in peacekeeping 10 times, with a total of 1325 officers being deployed for peacekeeping.[33] This includesMINUSTAH, where out of eight Chinese peacekeeping deaths in the2010 Haiti Earthquake three were Border Defense Corps officers. The Border Defense Corps was also deployed inUNMIL, where on October 28, 2017, where the 5th PAP Deployment to Liberia (part of the Guangxi Border Defense Corps) was awarded the "Liberia National Outstanding Contribution Award" by theLiberian Government.[33][34]
The PAP has been compared by both Chinese and foreign scholars with thegendarmerie forces found in many countries, most famously theFrench Gendarmerie,[35] but the main inspiration for the PAP's establishment and operation came from theInternal Troops of theSoviet Union and related paramilitary forces of theEastern Bloc such as the East GermanAlert Units, adapted to the specific military-political culture and thinking of theChinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership.[36] It has also sometimes been compared by Chinese media to theUS National Guard.[37]
Commander:
| Commander | Took office | Left office | notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Li Gang | January 1983 | October 1984 | [38] |
| Li Lianxiu | October 1984 | January 1990 | [38] |
| Zhou Yushu | January 1990 | December 1992 | [38] |
| Ba Zhongtan | December 1992 | February 1996 | [38] |
| Yang Guoping | February 1996 | December 1999 | [38] |
| Wu Shuangzhan | December 1999 | December 2009 | [39] |
| Wang Jianping | December 2009 | December 2014 | [40] |
| Wang Ning | December 2014 | December 2020 | [41] |
| Wang Chunning | December 2020 | July 2025 | [42] |
| Cao Junzhang | July 2025 | [43] |
Political Commissar:
| Political Commissar | Took office | Left office | notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zhao Cangbi | January 1983 | July 1983 | [38] |
| Liu Fuzhi | July 1983 | October 1984 | [38] |
| Li Zhenjun | October 1984 | November 1985 | [38] |
| Zhang Xiufu | November 1985 | January 1990 | [38] |
| Xu Shouzeng | January 1990 | December 1992 | [38] |
| Zhang Shutian | December 1992 | February 1996 | [38] |
| Xu Yongqing | February 1996 | December 2003 | [38] |
| Sui Mingtai | December 2003 | September 2007 | [44] |
| Yu Linxiang | September 2007 | July 2010 | [45] |
| Xu Yaoyuan | July 2010 | September 2014 | [40] |
| Sun Sijing | December 2014 | January 2017 | [40] |
| Zhu Shengling | January 2017 | March 2019 | [46] |
| An Zhaoqing | March 2019 | January 2022 | [47] |
| Zhang Hongbing | January 2022 | [48] |
The People's Armed Police has a number of training institutions, likely overseen by the Training Bureau of the Staff Department.[22]: 32 [49]
New constables of the People's Armed Police are drawn from the general military conscription pool, but they are trained in the People's Armed Police basic training units.[50]: 28
According to Zi Yang, the state of the education and training system as of 2016 suffered of issues which negatively affected the quality of education.[51]
The People's Armed Police Academy tasked with officer education and training for duties related to the missions entrusted to the People's Armed Police, including, since 2001, UN peacekeeping.[52] The People's Armed Police Academy is headquartered inLangfang, ofHebei. The People's Armed Police Academy started to recruit cadets in 1984; since 1997, it has begun to issue bachelor's degrees; in 2003 it was allowed to issue master's degrees. According to a 2019 source, it is subordinate to the Ministry of Public Security.[52] The PAP Academy is a Corps Leader Grade command, and thus it is led by a major general who serves as Superintendent.[22]: 32 [49] All graduates to the academy are commissioned into the PAP as Second Lieutenants (equivalent of Ensigns for those commissioned into the Coast Guard).
The People's Armed Police Logistics Academy is a training body aimed to train People's Armed Police personnel in handling logistics. According to Unit Tracker, the university include subjects as applied economics, military and paramilitary logistics, as well as engineering.[53] The Logistics Academy is a Corps Leader Grade command, and thus it is led by a major general.[22]: 32 [49]
The People's Armed Police Headquarters is the leading and commanding organ that directs and administers all the units and provides guidance to it. The PAP has a commander, a political commissar and several deputy commanders and deputy political commissars.[23] The PAP also has departments responsible for logistical and political matters and several speciality departments.
Following adjustment and reorganization, the People's Armed Police is mainly composed of the territorial forces, the mobile forces, and the Coast Guard.[54]
The People's Armed Police Headquarters, placed at Theater CommandGrade, include five Departments directly under the Headquarters:[22]: 10, 32
Being of Theatre Command Grade, the People's Armed Police is led by a full General.[49]
Mobile corps[56] (Chinese:机动总队;pinyin:jīdòng zǒngduì), often mistranslated as "Contingents" are large formations without fixed areas of responsibility. Two were created after the 2018 reforms; most of the subordinate units came from the 14 disbanded mobile divisions. Mobile corps are corps leader grade formations[22]: 12–13 commanded by major generals.[49]
The mobile corps are mainly responsible for dealing with terrorism, violent crime, riots, and public security threats.[13]: 233 The1st Mobile Corps is based inShijiazhuang,Hebei, south ofBeijing. The Corps covers northern and central China, includingBeijing.[57] The2nd Mobile Corps is headquartered inFuzhou, with units concentrated inFujian and surrounding provinces along the coast (covering eastern and southern China).[22]: 13
The major part of the PAP is thenèiwèi bùduì (Chinese:内卫部队); translations include "internal security forces",[22]: 2 "internal security troops",[51] and "internal guards corps".[13]: 232 Internal security forces are divided intoprovincial-level formations[22]: 11–12 with geographical areas of responsibility.[22]: 2 They are subordinated to PAP headquarters;[22]: 10 the 2017-2018 reforms removed control of PAP units from local government.[22]: 11–12 Internal security forces are focused on domestic security missions, maintaining stability in western China, guarding government compounds, disaster relief, and responding to major anti-government unrest.[22]: 2
Thezǒngduì (Chinese:总队) is the provincial formation. They are called "corps" by the PAP;[58][59][60] Western analysts have used "contingent",[22]: 32 "general corps", and "detachment".[13]: 234 Most are corps deputy leader grade formations. The exceptions are the Beijing and Xinjiang corps which are corps leader grade; their subordinate entities, except for the logistics and equipment bureaus, are one grade higher than in the other corps.[22]: 32 Hong Kong andMacau do not have corps.[51] Corps have mobile detachments and duty detachments (Chinese:执勤支队;pinyin:zhíqín zhīduì).[22]: 22
Duty detachments protect government compounds and perform routine duties; they may exist because the CCP lacks confidence in the ability of local public security forces to handle "mass incidents".[22]: 22
Mobile detachments (Chinese:机动支队;pinyin:jīdòng zhīduì) are rapid reaction units roughly corresponding to PLAGF regiments.[22]: 12 Some were existing corps mobile units before the reforms.[22]: 36 Most were transferred from the disbanded mobile divisions.[22]: 12 Most corps have one.[22]: 12 In general, western provinces with large non-Han population have more than those in China's interior.[61]: 16
Corps are further subdivided at lower administrative levels. Regimental-level detachments (Chinese:支队;pinyin:zhīduì) are found in provinces,prefectures, and specifically designated cities. Battalions (Chinese:大队;pinyin:dadui) are located in districts of the important cities andcounties. Companies (Chinese:中队;pinyin:zhōngduì) are found in counties.[13]: 234 [22]: 7 All corps have subordinate elementary command colleges.[23]
Prior to the 2018 reforms, thePeople's Armed Police Transportation Corps [zh] (Chinese:武警交通部队) was its own independent corps under the dual command of the PAP and theMinistry of Transport.[62] During the 2018 reforms, the Transportation Corps was reorganized into part of the1st and2nd mobile corps.[62][22] The mission of Transport units of the People's Armed Police is to conduct disaster relief and emergency repair on highways, bridges, tunnels, seaports railways and airports, security to construction projects related to national security along withlaw enforcement duties on highways in border regions.[63]
The lineage of the 1st Transportation Detachment, 2nd Mobile Corps dates back to the2nd World War, when it was known as theLaiyuan guerilla detachment of theJin-Cha-Ji Military district. It participated in theChinese civil war,WW2 and theKorean war. After becoming part of thePLA Basic Engineering Corps [zh] it was deployed to build theDuku Highway in 1974 in which 47 personnel lost their lives.[62]
Prior to 1984, the transportation corps was part of thePeople's Liberation Army Basic Engineering Corps [zh].[62]
The 7th Transportation Detachment assisted in disaster relief after the2015 Tianjin explosions.[64]
The 6th Detachment of the transportation corps deployed 105 officers and 48 vehicles forurban search and rescue duties during the2015 Shenzhen landslide.[65]
After the 2018 reforms, the transportation corps was reorganized into 5 detachments in the 1st and 2nd Mobile Corps:[22][62]
In 2015, ex-Transportation corps commander Major GeneralLiu Zhanqi, ex-Transportation corps Political commissar Major GeneralWang Xin [zh] and ex-Transportation Corps Chief engineer Major GeneralMiao Guirong [zh] were arrested on June 16, July 31 and September 15 respectively on corruption-related charges as part of theanti-corruption campaign under Xi Jinping. As of September 16, 2015, a total of 43 people were arrested in relation to the case.[68]
The Chinese People's Armed Police Force Coast Guard Bureau, also abbreviated asChina Coast Guard is the agency for maritime search and rescue and law enforcement in the territorial waters of thePeople's Republic of China. The China Coast Guard was formerly the maritime branch of the People's Armed Police (PAP) Border Security Force under theMinistry of Public Security until 2013. In March 2013, China announced it would form a unified Coast Guard commanded by theState Oceanic Administration. This renewed Coast Guard has been in operation since July 2013. As of July 1, 2018, theChina Coast Guard was transferred from civilian control of the State Council and theState Oceanic Administration, to the People's Armed Police, ultimately placing it under the command of the Central Military Commission (CMC).
According to Joel Wuthnow, the Coast Guard Command within the People's Armed Police possibly is of Corps Leader Grade, led by a Commandant who is usually holding Major General (Rear Admiral) rank.[22]: 32
In June 2018, China Coast Guard was granted maritime rights and law enforcement akin civilian law enforcement agencies in order to carry out contrast of illegal activities, keep peace and order, as well as safeguarding security at sea, when performing duties related to the use of marine resources, protection of marine environment, regulation of fishery, and anti-smuggling.[69]
The People's Armed Police maintains several Special Operations Units,[70][71][72] also known by Western sources as "Special Police units". They were established in Beijing in early 1980s and in 1983 the first of them was transferred to the People's Armed Police as the People's Armed Police Special Police Group. In 1985 the Group became People's Armed Police Special Police School and, in 2002, it became the People's Armed Police Special Police Academy.[4]: 123 [73] In 2002, the Snow Wolf Commando Unit, since 2007 Snow Leopard Commando Unit, was established in Beijing as the second special police unit.[4]: 123 [73] According to Joel Wuthnow, the Snow Leopard Commando Unit was moved from the Beijing Corps to the 2nd Mobile Corps in 2018.[22]: 36
The special operations units are tasked to carry out counter terrorism missions, riot control, anti-hijacking and bomb disposal.[73]
Local special operations units receiveExplosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) training,[74]fast roping,[75] counterinsurgency tactics,[71] along with training inhostage rescue andhostage negotiation.[72]
Special Police Units/Special operations units are organized and placed at the Municipal[71] and Provincial level.[73]
In addition, the 1st and 2nd Mobile Corps maintain a total of 5 Special Operations Detachments.[22]: 12–13
Municipal detachments each have their own Special Operations Company, which is typically placed under the municipal mobile battalion.[76][72] Each provincial corps (Chinese:总队;pinyin:Zǒngduì) establishes and maintains a special operations detachment as part of its own territorial organization.[73][74] The provincial special operations detachment of theXinjiang Corps [zh] is theMountain Eagle Commando Unit.[22] In some provincial corps, the special operations unit is battalion[77] or company sized and is placed under the mobile detachment.[77]
TheHebei Corps [zh] Mobile Detachment's 1st Special Operations Company is known as the "Sky Sword" unit (Chinese:天剑突击队). It can trace its lineage back to the 7th Company, 3rd Battalion of the28th Group Army's 84th Infantry Division's 251st Regiment which was involved in theBattle of Jinan and theHuaihai campaign. In its entire history, it was deployed to approximately 50 law enforcement/disaster relief operations, won gold or silver in 100+ competitions and was awarded first classmeritorious service medals 1 time, 2nd class meritorious service medals 5 times and 3rd class meritorious service medals 12 times.[78][70]
The Shenzhen Detachment's Special Operations Company is known as the "Wild Wolf" unit (Chinese:野狼特战队). It was founded in 2005 and given the name in 2008.[79]
The Jinan Detachment's Special Operations Company is known as the "Lightning Commando Unit" (Chinese:闪电突击队) it was founded in 2009 and only had 30 members at the start.[76][80]
| Badge of the Snowy Eagle Female Special Service team | |
|---|---|
 https://photo.81.cn/pla/2015-03/19/content_6398233_5.htm |
| Flag of the Snowy Eagle Female Special Service team | |
|---|---|
| https://photo.81.cn/pla/2015-03/19/content_6398233_8.htm |
In April 2012, the Xinjiang Border Defense Corps Female Special Service team (新疆公安边防总队女子特勤分队) was founded. In March 2015 it was renamed to the "Snowy Eagle Female Special Service team" (雪鹰女子特勤分队) at the Xinjiang Border Corps Training Base.[81][82] At its founding in 2012, it only had 6 members, and by March 2015 it had 34 members.[83] It assisted in security at theChina Eurasia Expo multiple times.[84]
TheShenzhen Border Defense Detachment operated theMaritime Special Service Team [zh] (Nicknamed "MaritimeJiaolongs"), apolice tactical unit which is dedicated to maritime anti-terrorism, search and rescue,combat diving andVBSS.[85]
Using the national information infrastructure, the PAP has established a preliminary system of three-level integrated information networks, linking general headquarters with the grass-roots squadrons.[23]
In response to the needs of the People's Armed Police, the service provides for the use of many types of weapons. Special Operation Forces of People's Armed Police uses various kind of weapons according to necessity of missions.
In addition, the People's Armed Police makes use of remotely-controlled technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles, advanced surveillance technology and bomb disposal robots, as well as intelligent unmanned systems.[97][98]K9s andballistic shields are also used.[99][87]
Drones and MiniUGVs are often used for recon.[72]
People's Armed police vehicles can be identified with theirVehicle registration plates which start with WJ.
The PAPGanzhou Detachment have been seen withspeedboats for search and rescue during floods.[108] The Snow Leopard Commando Unit also uses speedboats when raiding terrorist hideouts in islands.[91]
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Due to its history with the PLA, the PAP has a similar rank structure to the PLA and also obeys its regulations. PAP guards are also recruited at the same time and through the same procedures as PLA soldiers. However, the PAP has its own education and training system separate from the PLA. Like the PLA, the PAP also celebrates Army Day on August 1 of every year, and enjoys the same services as the PLA.
| Title[116] | 武警上将 Wǔjǐngshàng jiàng | 武警中将 Wǔjǐngzhōng jiàng | 武警少将 Wǔjǐngshàojiàng | 武警大校 Wǔjǐngdàxiào | 武警上校 Wǔjǐngshàngxiào | 武警中校 Wǔjǐngzhong xiao | 武警少校 Wǔjǐngshàoxiào | 武警上尉 Wǔjǐngshàngwèi | 武警中尉 Wǔjǐngzhōngwèi | 武警少尉 Wǔjǐngshàowèi | 武警学员 Wǔjǐngxuéyuán |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equivalent Translation | General | Lieutenant general | Major general | Senior colonel | Colonel | Lieutenant colonel | Major | Captain | 1st lieutenant | 2nd lieutenant | Officer cadet |
| Shoulder Insignia |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Collar Insignia |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Title[116][117] | 武警一级警士长 Wǔjǐng yī jí jǐng shì zhǎng | 武警二级警士长 Wǔjǐng èr jí jǐng shì zhǎng | 武警三级警士长 Wǔjǐng sān jí jǐng shì zhǎng | 武警一级上士 Wǔjǐng yī jí shàng shì | 武警二级上士 Wǔjǐng èr jí shàng shì | 武警中士 Wǔjǐng zhōng shì | 武警下士 Wǔjǐng xiàshì | 武警上等兵 Wǔjǐng shàngděngbīng | 武警列兵 Wǔjǐng lièbīng |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equivalent translation | Master Sergeant 1st class | Master Sergeant 2nd class | Master Sergeant 3rd class | Staff sergeant 1st Class | Staff sergeant 2nd Class | Sergeant | Corporal | Private 1st class | Private |
| Shoulder Insignia |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Collar Insignia |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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