The Communist Party of China (CPC) continues a major restructuring and purge of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF)

The Central Military Commission (CMC), the CPC body that controls the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the PLAGF, has shrunk the number of PLAGF Group Armies to 13 from 18, said Yang Yujun, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense.

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Yang said the downsizing is a crucial step in the process of building a strong and modernized new-type army. The reorganization is also important to shifting the focus of the PLA from quantity to quality and efficiency, he said.

The reform is now underway, according to Yang.

As for reforms in military academies and research institutions, these aim to adapt to the new command system and military structure, as well as to provide talent and theoretical and technological support to building of a first-class military force.

Only a few days ago, the Group Armies were reorganized into an all-arms combat force combining infantry, armor and mechanized units with units from the three other armed services to form what's being called a "a big unit command."

This big unit command -- essentially a combined arms fighting force -- will see units from the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF); the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) integrated into each PLAGF Group Army.

According to Chinese state-run media, the newly organized 76th Group Army is the first of this new type big unit commands. The change in designation is significant because in the past PLAGF Group Armies only included PLAGF units.

"But in the future, the air force, navy and rocket forces will also be included in the group armies and given a new designation," explained Song Zhongping, a military expert who served in the PLARF.

Song said the designation Group Army only refers to the PLAGF and isn't reflective of the changes that brought about the new Group Army, which should instead be referred to as a "big unit command" during war.

TagsCommunist Party of China, People's Liberation Army Ground Force, Central Military Commission, Group Armies