Major armed police reform

The armed police will be placed under the unified control of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Central Military Commission starting Jan 1.

The armed police will be included in the Central Military Commission system and will no longer take orders from the State Council, China's Cabinet. Coordination mechanisms will be established among the central and local authorities and the armed police.

This is a significant political decision made by the CPC Central Committee and marks a major step toward strengthening the Party's absolute leadership over the People's Liberation Army and other armed forces.

Given that the Constitution stipulates that the Central Military Commission commands the armed forces in China, the transfer of command over the armed police from the State Council to the CPC Central Committee and its military arm is consistent with the Constitution and will not change the fundamental function of the armed police, which is mainly responsible for performing guard duties, handling emergency situations requiring an armed response, fighting terrorism, as well as disaster relief and defense. It also represents a key step toward promoting governance of the nation and military in accordance with the law.

The CPC Central Committee with General Secretary Xi Jinping as the core has attached high importance to the armed police and views the force as a key part of the efforts to build a strong military. The report delivered by Xi to the Party's 19th National Congress in October mapped out deepened reforms for the armed police and thus its latest command transfer marks concrete implementation of this guideline.

This will help the country's armed police better carry out its mission in the new era.

-People's Daily