China's People's Armed Forces Departments

People's Armed Police Forces Departments (PAFD), or People's militias, have grown under Xi Jinping. This reflects apprehension about domestic security rather than any serious effort at wartime preparedness. PAFD units are staffed by military and civilian employees from local governments. They are responsible for recruiting personnel for all the armed forces, as well as overseeing the recruitment, organizing, and management of militia forces. The Party aims to create a heightened sense of corporate responsibility toward the PRC's national development goals through efforts to build militia units within companies. PAFD also contributes to military modernization through training and recruitment efforts. Xi has also directed all elements of the armed forces, including the PAFD, to support the strengthening of the military-civil fusion development strategy.