Located in the west suburb of Beijing, the PLA Academy of Military Science (PLAAMS) is a research institute under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission (CMC). The academy is the centre of the PRC’s military research activities, and is also responsible for the coordination of various military research bodies. Its missions include: to carry out fundamental research on military science and important issues in defence and armed forces development; to draft and amend military doctrines, regulations and laws; to provide strategic advice and consultation for military policymakers.
The PLAAMS was formed in November 1956 on the basis of the Scientific Doctrine Department of the PLA Training Supervision Department. The academy’s organisation structure has been changed many times since then. Currently the academy comprises a number of departments, including scientific research guidance, political, academy management, strategic and tactical research, military organisation, military history, foreign military, and military encyclopaedia. The academy also has a number of research institutes in Mao’s military theory, military planning and analysis, etc. The academy also controls the military scientific research magazine, military science publishing house and military library.
