Background

The People's Liberation Army , including strategic nuclear forces, an army, navy and air force, serves as the military of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Its 2.5 million strong force makes it the largest army, in terms of sheer numbers of troops, in the world. The PLA was established in the 1920s as the military arm of the Communist Party of China. It was originally named the Red Army. The People's Liberation Army's insignia consists of a round device with a design of five stars and the Chinese characters "ba-yi" (August 1, the anniversary of the 1927 Nanchang Uprising), surrounded by wheat ears and cog wheels. (Use of the insignia is governed by the 1984 Military Service Law.)

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