Central Guard Bureau

Last updated: 1 February 2008

The Central Guard Bureau (CGB) is a military agency responsible for the protection of PRC’s top civilian and military leadership. The bureau is under the direct authority of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee General Office (zhonggong zhongyang bangongting) and is headed by a General. Its members wear the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) uniforms and are given military ranks. In military system, the CGB is known as the Guard Bureau of the PLA General Staff Department (zongcan jingweiju). In PRC’s government system, the CGB is known as the 9th Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS).

The protectees of the CGB include the Chinese President, who is concurrently the CCP General Secretary and the Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), as well as the Premier of the State Council, the Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the Deputy Chairman (or Chairmen) of the CMC, and their families.

The CGB includes a number of subordinated organs. They are General Office (bangong ting), Political Department (zhengzhi bu), Policy Research Department (zhengce yanjiu bu), Operations Department/Command and Coordination Centre (xingdong bu/zhihui xietiao zhongxin), Intelligence Department (qingbao bu), Technical Department (jishu bu), Communications Department (tongxin bu), Training Department (xunlian bu), Support Department (shenghuo baozhang bu), Construction Review Department (jianshe shencha bu), Liaison Department (lianluo bu), Cadre Department/Bodyguard Group (ganbu bu/weishi dadui), and Internal Service Centre (jiguan fuwu zhongxin).

The Cadre Department, also known as Bodyguard Group, is directly responsible for the safeguard of top leaders during their public appearance and travelling, both domestic and in foreign countries. Like their counterparts around the world, these bodyguards wear plain clothing style (jackets or business suits). While outside, they wear sunglasses and communication earpiece. They are highly skilled in firearm tactics and martial arts. Their equipments include various small arms, cold weapons, non-lethal weapons, body armours, and communications equipments.

The CGB also has a subordinated operation unit known as “Central Guard Regiment” (CGR), which are responsible for guarding the party and government headquarters such as the Zhongnanhai compound and Great Hall of the People. To ensure strict central control, the position of the CGR commander is normally undertaken by the Director or a Deputy Director of the CGB. The CGR is often known as “external guards” (waiqin), while members of the Cadre Department are known as “internal guards” (neiqin).

The CGB is only responsible for the protection of the very top leaders. The military and government also have their own security organisations to offer protection to senior officials which are not under the protection of the CGB. For example, the CMC General Office Guard Section (zhongyang junwei bangongting jingweichu) is responsible for the protection of the Chief of General Staff, as well as the directors of the General Political Department, General Logistics Department, and General Armament Department. The 8th Bureau of the MPS is responsible for the protection of senior government officials.

Central Guard Bureau bodyguards keep their car doors open while escorting the Chinese President to leave during a visit to Macau (Source: Chinese Internet)

Central Guard Bureau bodyguards guarding the presidential limousine during a state visit to Canada (Source: Chinese Internet)