People's Armed Police Specialised Branches

In addition to the Internal Troops, there are also four specialised paramilitary branches within the PAP. These are non-combat organisations intended for economic development roles, but organised along military lines. In time of war, these troops could be deployed for logistics support and engineering roles.

Gold Mining Troops

The PAP Gold Mining Troops (武警黄金部队) is responsible for finding and safeguarding gold mines in the country. The branch is organised into a national headquarters , three general corps, as well as educational and research institutes. The PAP Gold Headquarters of the Gold Mining Troops is concurrently the head office of the China National Gold Group Corporation, a state-owned enterprise that responsible for China’s gold production, with the unit commander and political commissar concurrently the managing directors of the company.

Hydropower Troops

The PAP Hydropower Troops (武警水电部队) is specialised in building dams and power stations in China. The branch is organised into a national headquarters, three general corps, a local command headquarters, as well as a number of commercial companies. The PAP Hydropower Headquarters is concurrently the head office of the China Anneng Construction Corporation. Each of the general corps also has their own commercial identity.

Transportation Troops

The PAP Transportation Troops (武警交通部队) is specialised in road and bridge construction and maintenance, as well as construction projects in energy, transportation, and infrastructure fields. In time of crisis, the corps could provide engineering and logistic support. The branch is organised into a national headquarters, two general corps, and several directly subordinated units. The 1st Transportation General Corps is headquartered in Chengdu, Sichuan, with four subordinated detachments (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th). The majority of the unit is stationed along the Sichuan-Tibet road. The 2nd Transportation General Corps is headquartered in Urumqi, Xinjiang, with five subordinated detachments (5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th). There is also a Directly-Subordinated Engineering Section stationed in the suburb of Beijing, equipped with mechanical engineering equipments and vehicles for large national construction projects.

Forestry Troops

The PAP Forestry Troops (武警森林部队) is responsible for the prevention and extinguishing of wildfire in national forests and grasslands, and the protection of the forest resources across the country. The branch is organised into a national headquarters and several general corps. Initially the Forestry Troops had four general corps in Inner Mongolia, Jilin Provice, Heilongjiang Province, and Yunnan Province. The force has been expanded in recent years, with new general corps and detachments being created in many other provinces including Sichuan, Tibet, Xinjiang, and Gansu.

Last update: 20 March 2009