China Establishes Armed Forces Departments Amidst Speculation of Preparing for Social Unrest

Recent official reports from China have revealed the establishment of Armed Forces Departments (AFDs), a paramilitary entity supervised by both the military and the regime, overseeing China’s militia, one of the world’s largest.

In a significant development, a major state-owned enterprise (SOE) in Shanghai, China’s economic center, reportedly initiated an AFD within its organization last Thursday.

The Shanghai Municipal Investment Group (SMIG), a prominent infrastructure construction and property development firm owned by the Shanghai municipal government, held a formal launch ceremony for its AFD on September 28. The event was attended by the commanding generals of the Shanghai garrison, as reported by Jiefang Daily, an official publication of China’s Army.

Jiang Shujie, the CCP’s general secretary of SMIG, stated that the company plays a crucial role in comprehensive urban disaster prevention and emergency rescue. He highlighted the company’s seven specialized emergency response teams involved in various tasks, including urban water supply, flood control, water environment management, and hazardous waste disposal.

While the company claims the AFD is for national defense, experts believe it’s part of the CCP’s preparation for possible social unrest amid economic and political crises.

The AFDs are affiliated with local military garrisons and governments, overseeing the militia’s activities during times of war and emergencies, among other responsibilities.

The AFD concept was established at various government levels, educational institutions, and SOEs after the communist regime’s rise to power, strengthening its control over China’s militia, serving as an auxiliary force for the regular army and managing national defense mobilization. Militia members are ordinary employees trained for combat and maintaining social order.

In recent years, AFDs have reemerged in SOEs, sparking curiosity about their role amid growing unrest in China. Experts argue that these departments are preparing the in-house militia for potential domestic and social unrest.

China currently boasts eight million militia members. While core militia members play key roles and receive military training, ordinary militia members serve as civil workers during peace and become soldiers during war.

Large SOEs and government-affiliated entities have reportedly established in-house AFDs since 2021. For example, 25 SOEs in Fushun, a city in Liaoning Province, set up AFDs in 2021, recruiting nearly 1,500 core militia members.

Despite speculation about China preparing for war, experts suggest that these AFDs are more likely geared toward addressing massive domestic and social unrest. Recent defaults and protests in China’s real estate industry, as well as discontent in other sectors, have raised concerns about the country’s stability.

The Chinese authorities appear to be preparing for various forms of social unrest and protests, using both training and indoctrination to suppress dissent. Observers note that these developments underscore the prevalence of social injustice and the government’s efforts to maintain control.

Under Chinese law, the armed forces consist of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the People’s Armed Police, and the Militia. The law mandates that the Militia should prepare for war, assist in defense operations, and maintain public order.