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

The Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China (simplified Chinese: 中华人民共和国国防部; traditional Chinese: 中華人民共和國國防部; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Guófángbù) or for short the "National Defense Ministry" (simplified Chinese: 国防部; traditional Chinese: 國防部; pinyin: Guófángbù) is the 2nd-ranked ministry under the State Council. It is headed by the Minister of National Defense.

Not to be confused with Ministry of National Defense (Republic of China).
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
Emblem of the People's Republic of China

Ministry of National Defense HQ, Beijing
Agency overview
Formed28 September 1954
TypeConstituent Department of the State Council (cabinet-level executive department)
Jurisdiction People's Republic of China
HeadquartersFuxing Road, Beijing
39°54′28″N 116°19′15″E
Agency executive
Parent agencyState Council
Central Military Commission
Websitewww.mod.gov.cn (in English)
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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 People's Liberation Army (PLA), which is instead subordinate to the Central Military Commission (CMC). Instead, the MND itself only serves as liaison body representing the CMC and PLA when dealing with foreign militaries in military exchange and cooperation.

Its official responsibilities had been to exercise unified administration over the development of the armed forces of the country such as recruitment, organization, equipment, training, scientific military research of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the ranking and remuneration of the officers and servicemen. However, in reality these responsibilities are carried out by the CMC's 15 departments.

Structure

There are a number of departments under the Ministry of National Defense:

  • General Office
  • Foreign Affairs Office
  • Peacekeeping Office
  • Mobilisation Office

The Ministry of National Defense General Office is in fact the same body as the CMC General Office. Other offices are also staffed by personnel from the Joint Staff Department.

Minister

Although the Ministry itself does not exercise much authority, the role of the Minister of National Defense has always been viewed as one of the most important positions in the country's political system. The position of Minister has always been given to an active military officer (with the exception of Geng Biao), a State Councilor and a member of the Communist Party's Central Committee and member (sometimes a Vice Chairman) of the Central Military Commission, enabling him to take part in the decision making in the PLA, the Government and the Party.

List of Defense Ministers
No. MinisterTook officeLeft officeTime in office
1
Dehuai, PengMarshal
Peng Dehuai
彭德怀
(1898–1974)		September 1954April 19594 years, 7 months
2
Biao, LinMarshal
Lin Biao
林彪
(1907–1971)		April 1959September 197112 years, 5 months
Vacant
1971–75
3
Jianying, YeMarshal
Ye Jianying
叶剑英
(1897–1986)		January 1975March 19783 years, 2 months
4
Xiangqian, XuMarshal
Xu Xiangqian
徐向前
(1901–1990)		March 1978March 19813 years
5
Biao, GengGeng Biao
耿飚
(1909–2000)		March 1981June 19832 years, 3 months
6
Aiping, ZhangGeneral
Zhang Aiping
张爱萍
(1910–2003)		June 1983March 19884 years, 9 months
7
Jiwei, QinGeneral
Qin Jiwei
秦基伟
(1914–1997)		March 1988March 19935 years
8
Haotian, ChiGeneral
Chi Haotian
迟浩田
(born 1929)		March 1993March 200310 years
9
Gangchuan, CaoGeneral
Cao Gangchuan
曹刚川
(born 1935)		March 200317 March 20085 years
10
Guanglie, LiangGeneral
Liang Guanglie
梁光烈
(born 1940)		17 March 200816 March 20134 years, 11 months
11
Wanquan, ChangGeneral
Chang Wanquan
常万全
(born 1949)		16 March 201319 March 20185 years
12
Fenghe, WeiGeneral
Wei Fenghe
魏凤和
(born 1954)		19 March 2018Incumbent2 years, 100 days

See also

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