China unveils 2025-style police uniforms after 20 years

The new 2025-style police uniforms have officially entered service, marking the first full-scale replacement of the current uniform in more than 20 years, the Ministry of Public Security announced on Monday.

Developed as an inheritance and advancement of the existing 1999-style uniforms, the new version retains the original color scheme, basic design, and insignia without major modifications.

Key improvements focus on four core areas: functional performance, product range expansion, pattern optimization, and advanced fabric application, the ministry said.

The new uniforms address the longstanding issue of inadequate adaptability to high-intensity activities such as patrols, pursuits, and arrests. They also introduce urgently needed items for practical training and incorporate new materials to enhance wrinkle resistance, durability, breathability, and thermal insulation, according to the ministry's introduction.

These upgrades aim to better meet the diverse needs of police officers across different regional environments, police specialties, service types, and work scenarios, it said.

In line with fiscal frugality requirements, the rollout implements cost-saving measures including reduced initial issuance quantities and extended replacement cycles. This ensures both the initial allocation quota and annual average replacement funding standard are lower than current levels.

Starting in 2025, the 1999-style uniforms will be gradually replaced based on annual fiscal budgets and actual demand, allowing officers to continue using existing uniforms until natural phase-out.

Calculated according to the issuance standards of the new-style police uniforms, the annual required funds are approximately 2.36 percent less than those under the current standards, the ministry said.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, China's police force has undergone nine major uniform reforms, with the 2025-style following the 1950, 1955, 1958, 1966, 1972, 1983, 1989, and 1999 versions.

After more than two decades of service, the 1999-style uniforms have struggled to meet the evolving demands of modern law enforcement and training due to simplistic functions, an incomplete product range, outdated materials and craftsmanship, inadequate issuance standards, and unclear insignia. The 2025 reform directly addresses these gaps to support the professional development of the police force, according to the ministry.