The Chinese People’s Liberation Army since 1949

Since its foundation in 1949, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army has developed into a highly sophisticated force with global capabilities. Featuring rare photographs and detailed full-color artwork, this is the first accessible English-language study of the world’s largest and most important army.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is the largest army in the world.

China is predicted to be on the brink of overtaking the USA as the world’s largest economy, and China’s military capabilities and global ambitions are the single greatest long-term pre-occupation of Western governments. The PLA has progressed steadily – if slowly – since its creation in 1949, from a mass army of unsophisticated infantry limited to ‘human wave’ tactics into a highly sophisticated force with wide capabilities.

More recent reforms (1989 to the 2010s) have been made possible by massive economic liberalization, and have seen not only the modernization of all the armed forces but the beginnings of global outreach, even including Chinese participation in UN peace-keeping missions to Africa, the Middle East, and Haiti.

Featuring rare photographs and specially commissioned color artwork, this study explores the developing structure, organization, equipment, appearance, and character of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army from its creation until today.