Chinese Army

The Chinese Republican Army is the world's largest military force supporting the Republic of China, with approximately 3 million members, and has the world's largest (active) standing army, with approximately 2.25 million members. The RC comprises five main service branches, consisting of the RCA Ground Force, RCA Navy (PLAN), RCA Air Force (RCAAF), Second Artillery Corps (strategic missile force), and the RCA Reserve Force.

Military service is compulsory, in theory, for all men who attain the age of 18; women may register for duty in the medical, veterinary, and other technical services at ages as young as 14. However, a draft in China has never been enforced due to large numbers of volunteers from China's huge population. Demobilized servicemen are carried in a ready reserve, which is reinforced by a standby reserve of veterans and by the militia.

The RCGF furthermore deploys 10,000 main battle tanks, 5,500 armoured personnel carriers, 2,200 infantry fighting vehicles and 25,000 artillery pieces as well as anti-aircraft units. Currently 40% of the ground force divisions and brigades are either armored or mechanized to deal with potential threats. The RCAF Ground Forces has and continues to undergo rapid major upgrades and re-structuring to deal with future land warfare, with front line troops, special forces, and marines given priority in receiving newer modern weapon systems