China’s Military-Civilian Support Work Shows Significant Gains

China has reported significant achievements in its military-civilian support work across various regions and military units, according to a comprehensive report published by Xinhua News Agency on the eve of the 99th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The report, republished by multiple state media outlets, highlights the deepening bond between the military and civilian communities through a wide range of initiatives spanning veteran support, disaster relief, and community development.

Context: A Tradition Rooted in History

The “Double Support” (双拥) movement — supporting the military and giving preferential treatment to military families, while supporting the government and cherishing the people — traces its origins to Yan’an in 1943 during the Chinese Communist Revolution. As China Military Online documents, the movement was launched during the Anti-Japanese War to strengthen military-civilian unity and was described by Mao Zedong as “the most important revolutionary work during the old lunar New Year period.” This year marks the 83rd anniversary of the movement, which has evolved into a core component of China’s broader military-civilian integration strategy.

Supporting the Military: New Social Initiatives

According to the Xinhua report, socialized military support has expanded significantly in recent years. More than 1.2 million veterans participated in vocational skills training, while over 1.6 million took part in adaptive training programs. Over 60 legal consultation and lecture activities were held in military camps, and more than 10 Army Day art performance series drew over 5,000 military-civilian participants.

Local governments have launched innovative initiatives to support service members and veterans. Fujian’s Zhangzhou established the city’s first military-support sports complex offering exclusive discounts to veterans and entitled groups. Shanghai’s Hongkou district launched its first military-support commercial district with dozens of participating merchants. Zhejiang’s Jiaxing Nanhu District unveiled a full-coverage, long-term composite military-respect commercial district.

In Hebei province, the 2026 “Assisting the Strong Military, Serving National Defense” campaign brought art performances, medical consultations, and policy briefings to frontline troops. As China Daily reported, soldiers expressed that “this thoughtful care from local government and the people gives us more confidence in military training and more motivation to stay rooted in the barracks.”

Serving the People: Disaster Relief and Community Support

The report also highlights the PLA’s role in disaster response during the 2026 summer flood season. When multiple regions experienced typhoons and heavy rainfall in July, PLA and Armed Police forces were deployed to rescue affected populations. In mid-July, Tonghua City in Jilin Province activated a joint military-civilian emergency response amid sustained rainfall. In late July, Armed Police Guangdong Corps Shaoguan Detachment organized overnight evacuations of residents during heavy rain and strong winds.

One of the most compelling narratives in the report involves soldier Wu Jie, a member of a Southern Theater Command Army brigade who participated in flood rescue operations in Guangxi. Eighteen years earlier, as a 12-year-old survivor of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, Wu witnessed PLA soldiers rescuing trapped people — an experience that inspired him to join the military. “No matter how dangerous it is ahead, I must appear at the place where the people need me most at the first moment,” Wu said.

Beyond disaster relief, military units have contributed to local development. The Tibet Military Region’s Qinghai-Tibet Highway Service built public welfare stations along the highway. The Armed Police Second Mobile Corps helped develop a highland specialty tea industry in Baka Village, Bomi County, Tibet. The Eastern Theater Command General Hospital established community cooperation with Nanjing’s Mei Yuan New Village, providing free medical consultations to residents.

Institutional Development and Defense Education

On July 23, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, the Central Military Commission Political Work Department, and the National Double Support Work Leading Group Office jointly issued a notice requiring all regions and military units to strengthen military-civilian support work during the “August 1” period, as People’s Daily reported. The notice called for improved policy mechanisms, including the “double list” system for military-civilian mutual assistance and enhanced support for veterans’ employment and military families’ welfare.

National defense education has also been expanded. Army 76th Group Army troops visited the “August 1 Love the People School” for summer defense education activities. Tsinghua University teachers and students visited the heroic “Dadu River Company” for an immersive military day. A Western Theater Command Air Force radar station conducted defense education at local schools more than 10 times.

Analysis: Building Momentum Toward the PLA Centennial

The timing of this comprehensive report is significant. Published on the eve of the PLA’s 99th anniversary, it comes one year before the PLA’s centennial in 2027 — the target year for China’s goal of building a world-class military. As CCTV and Guangming Daily both carried the report, the article serves to build social support and momentum ahead of this milestone.

The report reflects a deliberate shift from traditional government-led support to a more socialized model where businesses and communities actively participate. This evolution, combined with the emphasis on institutional mechanisms and defense education, signals that military-civilian integration remains a central pillar of China’s national security strategy.

What to Watch

As China approaches the PLA’s centennial in 2027, observers should monitor how military-civilian integration initiatives evolve, particularly in areas of socialized support, veterans’ services, and defense education. The expansion of model city programs and the deepening of institutional mechanisms will likely continue as the government seeks to strengthen the bond between the military and civilian communities nationwide.