PLA Academy of Military Science


The Academy of Military Science of the Chinese People's Liberation Army is the highest-level research institute of the People's Liberation Army of China, headquartered in Beijing. Its president is Lt. General Yang Xuejun and Lt. General Fang Xiang is the political commissar.

Functions

As stated in its official description, the AMS researches issues related to “national defence, armed forces development and military operations.” It works in consultation with the Central Military Commission and the Joint staff Department. More broadly, it coordinates research conducted by the various PLA institutions.
Also, according to Bates Gill and James Mulvenon, "AMS researchers write reports for the military leadership, ghost-write speeches for top military leaders, and serve on temporary and permanent leading small groups as drafters of important documents like the Defence White Paper. The AMS also conducts analysis on foreign militaries, strategy and doctrine, and has consistently taken the lead role in the study of the future of warfare."

History and organization

The AMS was founded in March 1958 and as of 2002, its staff included approximately 500 researchers, making it the largest research institution in the PLA. Although the AMS has been reorganized multiple times since its founding, as of August 2008, it contained the following administrative divisions:
The academy also maintains a research magazine, a publishing house, and a library.

Members and staff