ABSTRACT
As communist forces expanded their control of China in the late 1940s, Military Control Commissions were set up in cities to implement the transition to Communist Party rule. Many military leaders served as political leaders until the Party established a governing apparatus. This dual leadership role was not new for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), as senior leaders were accustomed to performing both political and military functions in previous decades and most political leaders had military experience. With the establishment of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the creation of local governments throughout the country, many former soldiers became full-time officials at all levels of government. During the chaos of the Cultural Revolution, People’s Liberation Army (PLA) units were called upon to restore order and perform governance functions in many parts of the country. This situation continued until 1975, when the PLA was ordered ‘back to the barracks’ and to withdraw from its political functions. At about the same time, as part of the Four Modernizations, the PLA began its long-term modernization programme that has undergone several modifications and adjustments and continues to this day.
