The Party’s Central Military Commission exercises unified command over China’s armed forces, consisting of the active and reserve forces of China’s military, the People’s Liberation Army; a paramilitary force, the People’s Armed Police Force (PAP); and a militia. The General Secretary of the Communist Party serves as chairman. The rest is comprised of uniformed officers. They are two vice chairmen (who serve on the Party’s Politburo), the State Councilor for military affairs (who serves as Minister of Defense), the directors of the PLA’s four general departments, and the commanders of the Navy, the Air Force, and the strategic and conventional missile forces. | The Party’s Central Military Commission exercises unified command over China’s armed forces, consisting of the active and reserve forces of China’s military, the People’s Liberation Army; a paramilitary force, the People’s Armed Police Force (PAP); and a militia. The General Secretary of the Communist Party serves as chairman. The rest is comprised of uniformed officers. They are two vice chairmen (who serve on the Party’s Politburo), the State Councilor for military affairs (who serves as Minister of Defense), the directors of the PLA’s four general departments, and the commanders of the Navy, the Air Force, and the strategic and conventional missile forces. |