Military training traces back to the feudal era in China. According to the Book of Rites and Zhou, the Western Zhou Dynasty had two levels of studies: guoxue^{[page needed]} and xiangxue.^{[clarification needed]} The University in the Western Zhou Dynasty focused on martial arts and teachers were military officers. The major content of military training was learning archery and driving chariots. This is the earliest known instance of military training. Later dynasties continued the practice. During the Qing Dynasty the Baoding Military Academy was set up for training officers in modern warfare techniques.

Under the Kuomintang, the Whampoa Military Academy of Republican China was organized for officer training and boy scouts training also existed.

In July 1955, the first military service law was issued, which first required high school students and undergraduates to take military training. That winter, pilot projects were conducted at Beijing Sport University and Beijing Iron and Steel Engineering Institute, which were followed by twelve other higher education institutes. More than 10,000 students were trained. From 1955 to 1957, the Ministry of Education and Ministry of National Defense authorized 127 schools to carry out military training. The number of trained students reached over 70,000. At that time, higher education institutes focused more on training technical reserve officers, while high schools paid more attention to basic military training.

In the early 1960s first grade students in 38 institutes of higher learning and 70 senior high schools and trade schools from 53 cities experimented with military training with the authority of the State Council.

After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee, the government expanded military training given political stability and a growing economy. As of 2012, almost 500 universities and colleges and 3000 middle schools provided military training.

The People's Liberation Army administers several institutions for military education. These include the Academy of Military Science, National Defense University, National University of Defense Technology, 301 Hospital, 307 Hospital, and the Army Command College.

• To promote the spirit of patriotism and improve the idea of defense
• To develop good will and characters
• To shape collectivism
• To promote the Communist Party of China
• To reinforce the ideology of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
• To benefit later learning

According to the Law of the People's Republic of China on National Defense Education,^[3] pupils, middle school students and undergraduates should have military training when term opens or after National Day.

Until high school, students practice basic formation and movement.

High school students drill and study emergency evacuation, as well as national defense.

Undergraduates take formal military training and emergency evacuation.

Formation training (队形训练) includes stand at attention (立正), stand at ease (稍息), footwork (步法), salute (敬礼) and review.

• Official Website
• "China-Education and Training". Mongabay.com. Retrieved May 14, 2013.