The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China has adopted a revised law that governs the Armed Police Force, enabling wartime operations with the army.
The draft revision to the law was submitted for the second reading to the session of the Committee that was conducted from 18 to 20 June.
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In April this year, the top legislature deliberated its first draft and then released online for public feedback.
Under the revised law, the Armed Police Force will be brought under the centralised and unified leadership of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, led by President Xi Jinping, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
It is also applicable to the coast guard that forms part of the Armed Police Force.
Through the coast guard’s integration with the military, China looks to build a defence network with the capability to handle all operations.
With the revised law in place, the army and coast guard will be able to cooperate based on the situation determined by the President’s leadership.
The Armed Police Force, which has been tasked to perform patrol, handling of security emergencies, and prevention of terrorist activities, will also have to conduct maritime law enforcement and participate in rescue efforts under the revised law.
In July 2018, it was incorporated into the military police under the command of the Central Military Commission.
A legislative plan issued by the National People’s Congress in December last year does not include the legal changes.
