The Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission (Chinese: 中央军委政治工作部) is the chief political organ under the Central Military Commission (CMC). It was created in January 2016 following the military reforms under CMC chairman Xi Jinping. Its predecessor was the General Political Department of the People's Liberation Army.
中央军委政治工作部 | |
Agency overview | |
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Preceding |
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Type | Functional department of the Central Military Commission |
Jurisdiction | People's Liberation Army |
Headquarters | Ministry of National Defense compound ("August 1st Building"), Beijing |
Agency executive |
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Parent department | Central Military Commission |
Child agency | |
Website | chinamil.com.cn |
The department leads all political and cultural activities in the People's Liberation Army.[1] Its current director is Admiral Miao Hua; its deputy directors are Hou Hehua and Yu Guang.[2]
The Political Work Department's Liaison Department controls a United Front organization called the China Association for International Friendly Contact (CAIFC) that is active in overseas intelligence gathering and influence operations.[3][4][5][6]
In November 2015 the General Political Department of the PLA was abolished and was replaced with the CMC Political Work Department as part of Chairman Xi Jinping's military reforms.[7][8] Its role is to integrate the CCP and its ideology and propaganda into the People's Liberation Army. In January 2016, the Political Work Department became official.