In China, they are reviving an old tradition that had its golden years during the reign of Mao Zedong, especially between the 50s and 70s: the formation of militias. The question is where and specifically who is promoting these volunteer units, which are made up of citizens and known as People’s Armed Forces (PAFD) Units. It is gaining momentum in companies, especially state companies, although there are also cases in private companies.

The big question the trend leaves behind is… What for?

From overalls to uniform. This incident was already mentioned in February Finance Times. After reviewing company advertisements and reports published in state media throughout 2023, the British newspaper concluded that dozens of Chinese companies are dedicating themselves to installing new PAFDs. And in a relatively short time. It specifically mentions that the units will be commissioned within a few “months”. Among the companies taking action are state-owned companies as well as a privately owned dairy giant.

The CNN network, which is tasked with investigating the trend of corporate militias in China, mentioned two and a half months ago at least 16 major companies whose units were created throughout 2023. In his analysis, real estate companies stood out above all else. He also referred to some specific situations known as SOE, where people report directly to the central government or regional authorities but do not have a majority in the administration’s decision-making process.

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But… What kind of companies? The list is extensive. Analyzing the formation of the militia, the media mention a state-owned development and construction company, a Chinese dairy producer, also state-owned, several firms dedicated to construction, transportation and water supply, and a financial institution… Their locations were spread throughout the region. country from Jiangsu to Shanghai, Guangdong or Hubei. In Qinhai, northwestern China, a prominent state-owned lender said it had recently organized some of the staff at one of its subsidiaries to form a militia.

However, if there is one thing that attracts attention, it is Yili Group, a private company based in Inner Mongolia that stands out with its weight in the dairy sector. By the end of 2023, it became the first large, privately controlled Chinese company to form a PAFD unit in at least recent years.

Militias, for what? Million dollar question. Yili, for example, was established as a defense force that can “serve in times of peace, deal with emergencies, and intervene in times of war,” as Huang Zhiquiang, vice president of the Mongolian Autonomous Region, described it during an event. Hohhot. The unit was also placed under the rule of the Inner Mongolia People’s Liberation Army (PLA) garrison and the Communist Party.

A similar situation occurred in Shanghai with another formation whose control was left to the People’s Army garrison on its territory. ICBC bank, which recently organized some of its staff as a militia, claims that its aim is to “contribute its strength to national defence”. They have uniforms, facilities and a command center to achieve this. Another cited among his goals helping the military employ or recruit its veterans.

like the National Guard. Their descriptions give a rough idea of ​​the focus of these militias, which actually have more in common with the U.S. National Guard, a volunteer reserve force rather than private or corporate paramilitary organizations. PAFD units are staffed by civilians who go about their business and are ready to respond to certain situations, such as natural disasters, or—according to CNN states—to help maintain “social order.” Also providing support in times of war. For their part, they are auxiliary forces prepared to support the Chinese army.

“The PAFD is part of the PLA and its staff consists of army personnel. They report to the commanders of the PLA military districts and subdistricts and are considered part of the militia system. Militia units are part-time soldiers recruited by local governments in accordance with the Convention of the Central Military Commission and the Council of State ‘s instructions,” he explains. Diplomat Timothy Heath, defense expert. Beyond companies, militias also exist through regional governments and universities.

Neither new nor unknown. The renewed push for militias among companies may be surprising, but the concept is completely unknown in China. In fact, their history dates back to before the founding of the People’s Republic and was documented in the 1920s. Mao took advantage of these to consolidate his power during his government, and the units were especially healthy in the 1950s. CNN points out that they reached a significant percentage of the population at a time when the spread was at its peak and the country was experiencing tension with the USA. Other sources recently mention more than 30 million.

Beginning in 1976, following Mao’s death and as the country turned to new economic development goals, the militias’ roots in China began to suffer, although they remained at substantial levels. At the beginning of the last decade, in 2011, it had approximately eight million members.

“PAFD units played an important role in political mobilization during the Mao years. After the Communist Party abandoned Maoism, PAFD was engaged in tasks such as assisting in PLA recruitment and training, organizing and leading militia units,” Heath says. expanded its presence.”

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But… So why were they organized? The other big question. Analyzes similar to those conducted by Finance TimesCNN or Economist There is a clear new crackdown on militias in business environments, particularly in state-owned companies; so the question that immediately arises is: Why? For what? Do they focus on defense against foreign opponents?

At the end of the day, Beijing faces a complex geopolitical scenario marked by tensions in Taiwan, tensions in the South China Sea, and rapprochement with Vladimir Putin on the backdrop of a drift or war in relations with the United States. Ukraine. But for analysts, the pressure on PAFD units needs to be understood at a national rather than international level. They clearly state that its organization is primarily suited to a domestic key reading rather than preparations for military mobilization against potential foreign enemies.

“The main reason for the increased presence is fears of increasing social instability due to the ongoing problems of economic slowdown, high unemployment, labor disputes and mismanagement,” says Heath. “PAFD can monitor unrest, gather intelligence, mobilize militias and other emergency services that may help police suppress protests or escalate unrest.” They may also conduct patriotic propaganda, such as educational activities in schools or factories.

“social stability”. According to the expert, the activation of PAFD units “is a symptom of the leaders’ concerns about internal instability.” And since there were dozens of companies, especially state-owned ones, that mobilized militias in a short time, in his opinion, everything indicates that this trend was planned. “It almost certainly goes from top to bottom.”

This phenomenon also plays out in a specific national context, with factors that go beyond the geostrategic tensions Beijing faces outside its borders. The memory of the strict “COVID Zero” policy and the protests it generated is still fresh in the country, and the authorities are dealing with a very serious real estate crisis, youth unemployment, deflation… and above all, they have seen an increase in mobilizations on the streets. If there were 830 strikes and workers’ demonstrations in 2022, last year the number was 1,794. Another relevant factor may be the epidemic itself.

A reflection of society. “The expansion of PAFDs into the business sector reflects trends in China where security concerns are increasingly inseparable from development. As the economy weakens after years of growth and people’s expectations rise, the State is struggling to meet the public’s demands,” Heath said. adds.

“Dissatisfaction with the state’s shortcomings has raised concerns about security and social stability in Beijing. As a result, the government has invested more resources to monitor society and tighten controls. The expansion of PAFD into the business sector reflects these general trends.”

Pictures | Mitya Ku (Flickr)

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