Understanding the militia and China's security spectrum

The role of the militia in the Chinese security structure is often muddled. However, if you view the structure as a spectrum strung on two poles, with one pole being pure military bent on securing China's interests and the other internal security, the picture becomes more clear. On one of the far ends of the security spectrum, dealing specifically with internal security is the local police force. After that comes the People's Armed Police (PAP), then the militia, followed by the reserve forces, and finally the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Take the spectrum into perspective, the specific role for each service is examined.

Right pole - internal security

Local police force: The local police mainly deals with everyday problems and solving crimes. They direct the traffic, respond to local emergencies, conduct arrests, and solve crimes. Their job is limited to internal security. The weapons they use are mainly nonlethal, consisting of batons and small revolvers.
Mobility: Low

People's Armed Police (PAP): This force responds to critical emergencies involving lethal arms such as hijackings, armed robberies, and terrorist activities. Other units function as body guards for high ranking officials and other governmental VIPs. They also conduct border patrols and help suppress armed rebellions. They focus on internal security, but also function as a paramilitary organization having been armed with armored vehicles, machine guns, light anti-armor weapons, and assault rifles.
Mobility: Medium low - Although focused on the stability of one area, the PAP may mobilize to a place far away during emergencies.

Militia: Being placed between the PAP and the Reserve, the militia reflects the role of providing both internal security and responding to conflicts. In times of war when an enemy force has invaded China, the militia helps to mobilize and conduct civilian operations in-sync with army operations. In times of peace, retired and reserve military officials help train civilians and aid local police in maintaining social stability. The militia is the epitome of a People's War, where the fighting is protracted, and the whole country is mobilized to repel an enemy. Their weapons consist mainly of second-hand weapons from the army.
Mobility: Medium - During times of war, the militia may mobilize depending on security needs, but for the most part, the militia stays in one area.

Reserve: The reserve force is mainly a pool of manpower that can be extracted by the armed forces as needed in times of war. Their units remain in higher combat readiness than the militia. The weapons they use are no different from those used in the main armed forces.
Mobility: Medium high - As the backup for the main army, the reserve may be called to whereever they are needed.

People's Liberation Army (PLA): The PLA is the armed forces of China and consists of four branches: the army, the navy, the air-force, and the second artillery. They deal with external or international threats and help protect the country's interests. These units may participate in active defense, meaning moving beyond the country's boundaries into foreign territory if the leadership deems the threat serious enough to national security and must be immediately resolved. Likewise, the PLA may conduct operations and protect Chinese interests elsewhere on the globe. The PLA possesses some of the world's most advanced weaponry, and is a serious contender in the Asia-Pacific region.
Mobility: High - The military force may be called to wherever they are needed at all times under any circumstances.

Left pole - national security

From the spectrum, it can be seen that the militia is placed in the middle, between two poles with one end dealing specifically with internal security and maintaining social harmony, and the other end dealing with external threats and protecting national interests. The militia can also be thought of as the force fighting a possible protracted war on Chinese soil, where the entire population is mobilized in repelling a foreign invasion. Although this scenario is far from realistic in this world of ever increasing globalization and inter-dependency, this current period of peace among the great powers is the best time to develop a modern and capable military force. The future is full of uncertainties and hidden dangers, but also of hopes, aspirations, opportunities, and new horizons. China's security is no more important than to the Chinese people and their leadership, and it is the Chinese themselves that must continue their quest for security and determine their future destiny.

I think you will find that the Militia play the role of Civil Defence and Home Guard.

You would find them behind the lines, protecting civil infrastructure and key installations.

Normal duties you would expect.

Operating Anti Aircraft weapons

Observing for enemy Aircraft

Enforcing Air Raid Precautions

Putting out fires, clearing rubble, marking UXB's etc.

You would not expect most of these people to be in uniform full time, but doing a day job and then in Uniform in their spare time, except in situations of actual Invasion, when there role would change significantly.

I think the Civil Defense or National Guard might be more like the PAP or even the reserve, having been equiped with better weapons. In the United States, there is nothing quite like the militia except for the (not every state has one), but since everyone of legal age is allowed to own a firearm, anyone who has a gun can be considered a militia.

In examining the Chinese militia, another important aspect is mobility. In terms of the security spectrum, the militia is more restricted to the defense of a certain area, and does not mobilize to other areas like the regular army. The PAP also tends to ensure the security of one area, except for maybe the mobile divisions or when units are sent to patrol the borders.

The American National Guard service was federalized after the Militia Act of 1903. Today it's basically a 450,000 member reserve force for the federal army. If we look at past conflicts, the national guard, coast guard, and air national guard units were deployed abroad to war.

Since the Federal Government took the State National Guard, some states formed the State Defense Force to replace the role of the militia. In the event that the national guard is deployed away from home, the state defense force can be activated to guard military facilities and perform other security related duties.

In comparison, the PAP has no direct counter-part to the US military. Unlike the US National Guard, the PAP is not part of the "Army", and unlike the State Defense Forces, the PAP is bigger than most armies (1.5 million) and exists as a fully activated force.

In the US, State Defense Forces are usually folks who served as professional soldiers previously. They're basically an emergency reserve force and we might draw a direct comparison to PLA's reserves. The composition is similar but size is not.

The Chinese militia receives training from professional soldiers, but its composition isn't made up by retired full time soldiers. So while its role and duty may be similar to the US State Defense Force, its composition isn't.

adeptitus said:

The American National Guard service was federalized after the Militia Act of 1903. Today it's basically a 450,000 member reserve force for the federal army. If we look at past conflicts, the national guard, coast guard, and air national guard units were deployed abroad to war.

Since the Federal Government took the State National Guard, some states formed the State Defense Force to replace the role of the militia. In the event that the national guard is deployed away from home, the state defense force can be activated to guard military facilities and perform other security related duties.

In comparison, the PAP has no direct counter-part to the US military. Unlike the US National Guard, the PAP is not part of the "Army", and unlike the State Defense Forces, the PAP is bigger than most armies (1.5 million) and exists as a fully activated force.

In the US, State Defense Forces are usually folks who served as professional soldiers previously. They're basically an emergency reserve force and we might draw a direct comparison to PLA's reserves. The composition is similar but size is not.

The Chinese militia receives training from professional soldiers, but its composition isn't made up by retired full time soldiers. So while its role and duty may be similar to the US State Defense Force, its composition isn't.

Click to expand...

The PAP is more similar in role to the Canadian Royal Canadian Mounted Police in that it can be considered a separate organization, but still has links to the military establishment. The concept of a gendarmerie comes from the French, and many nations around the world have adopted a similar organization.

adeptitus said:

The American National Guard service was federalized after the Militia Act of 1903. Today it's basically a 450,000 member reserve force for the federal army. If we look at past conflicts, the national guard, coast guard, and air national guard units were deployed abroad to war.

Since the Federal Government took the State National Guard, some states formed the State Defense Force to replace the role of the militia. In the event that the national guard is deployed away from home, the state defense force can be activated to guard military facilities and perform other security related duties.

In comparison, the PAP has no direct counter-part to the US military. Unlike the US National Guard, the PAP is not part of the "Army", and unlike the State Defense Forces, the PAP is bigger than most armies (1.5 million) and exists as a fully activated force.

In the US, State Defense Forces are usually folks who served as professional soldiers previously. They're basically an emergency reserve force and we might draw a direct comparison to PLA's reserves. The composition is similar but size is not.

The Chinese militia receives training from professional soldiers, but its composition isn't made up by retired full time soldiers. So while its role and duty may be similar to the US State Defense Force, its composition isn't.

Click to expand...

The People's Armed Police (PAP) is the equivalent of the U.S. national guard because the PAP can also mobilize and respond to emergencies. However, the PAP is not part of the army by law, whereas the U.S. national guard is very much a reserve force. Despite this, the national guard is unique because there is already a reserve force within the U.S. military, so the only other direct comparison is with the PAP. In addition, the PAP is partly under the control of the Central Military Commission, which also commands the main military force. Finally, the PAP can be deployed abroad for U.N. peacekeeping missions. The PAP is much larger than the national guard because China has four times more people than the United States. Also, the PAP has roles usually associated with separate departments in the United States, such as SWAT and the USDA Forest Service.

The Chinese militia is very similar to the State Defense Forces in function and composition. It's true that not every member of the Chinese militia is a retired soldier, but there are still retired soldiers. They also recieve training from professional soldiers like you said.

In summary, below is a list of comparisons between the United States' security spectrum and that of China's:

People's Liberation Army China = United States armed forces

China armed forces reserve = United States armed forces reserve components including National Guard

China militia ~ State Defense Forces, National Guard

People's Armed Police ~ Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Guard, Border Patrol, Forest Service, etc.

China police = United States Local police, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), etc.

Although there are often no sure equivalents between various forces in the Chinese security spectrum and that of the Americans, similarities clearly exist.