China The Armed Forces of China are jointly commanded by the Military Commission of the Communist Party and the Central Military Commission of the government. China has an army, navy, and air force, which together make up the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The PLA has about 3 million male and female regular members. About 1 1/4 million men and women serve in China’s militia (citizens’ army). There are also about 700,000 army reserves. Men and women between 18 and 22 years of age may be drafted for military service. Draftees serve three years in the army and four years in the air force and the navy. The armed forces have h