The PLA Academy of Military Sciences in Beijing – A Prestigious Institution for Military Education and Research in China

The PLA Academy of Military Sciences (AMS) is a renowned institution for military education and research in China. It is the highest-level research institute of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the armed forces of the People’s Republic of China. The AMS is located in Beijing, the capital city of China. The PLA Academy of Military Sciences researches various aspects of military science, such as military strategy, operational art, tactics, history, technology, and management. The AMS also trains and educates senior military officers and civilian experts in these fields. The AMS enhances China’s national defense, armed forces development, and military operations.

The main purpose of this content is to introduce the PLA Academy of Military Sciences and its history, admission, tuition cost, life as a student, and alumni. The essay will also discuss the significance and challenges of the PLA Academy of Military Sciences in the context of China’s military modernization and international relations. The thesis statement of this essay is: The AMS is a prestigious institution for military education and research in China that contributes to advancing military science and improving China’s national security and global influence.

History of The PLA Academy of Military Sciences

The PLA Academy of Military Sciences was founded in March 1958 as the Military Academy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. It was established by the Central Military Commission (CMC), the highest military authority in China, under Chairman Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China. The AMS was created to meet the needs of the PLA’s transition from a guerrilla force to a modern army and to develop a systematic and comprehensive theory of military science for China.

The AMS has undergone several changes and reforms over the years, reflecting the changes in China’s political, economic, and military situation. The AMS has also participated in and supported many important military events and missions, such as the Sino-Indian War (1962), the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), the Sino-Vietnamese War (1979), the Gulf War (1991), the Kosovo War (1999), the War on Terror (2001-present), the Iraq War (2003-2011), the UN peacekeeping operations, and the anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.

The PLA Academy of Military Sciences has made significant achievements and contributions to China’s national defense, armed forces development, and military operations. The AMS has produced many influential works of military science, such as the Military Encyclopedia of China, the Science of Military Strategy, the Science of Campaigns, and the Science of Tactics. The AMS has also developed many innovative concepts and doctrines, such as active defense, the people’s war, the local war under modern conditions, the informationized warfare, and integrated strategic deterrence. The AMS has also fostered many talented and distinguished military scholars and experts, such as Marshal Nie Rongzhen, General Zhang Aiping, General Zhang Wannian, General Xiong Guangkai, and General Chen Zhou.

Admission Into The PLA Academy of Military Sciences

Admission into the PLA Academy of Military Sciences is highly competitive and selective. The AMS only accepts applicants with outstanding academic performance, professional experience, and leadership potential in military science. The AMS also requires applicants to have high political loyalty, moral integrity, and physical fitness. The AMS mainly recruits applicants from three sources: the PLA, the civilian sector, and foreign countries.

The PLA applicants are senior military officers with at least a bachelor’s degree and have served in the PLA for at least 10 years. The civilian applicants are civilian experts who have at least a master’s degree and have worked in the field of military science for at least 5 years. The foreign applicants are foreign military officers or civilian experts who have at least a master’s degree and have a good command of the Chinese language and culture.

The PLA Academy of Military Sciences application process consists of several steps, such as submitting the application materials, taking the entrance examination, undergoing the background investigation, and attending the interview. The entrance examination covers Chinese language, mathematics, English language, and military science. The background investigation verifies the applicants’ identity, education, work, and political records. The interview evaluates the applicants’ knowledge, skills, personality, and motivation.

Selection Procedure

The PLA Academy of Military Sciences selection procedure is based on the comprehensive evaluation of the applicant’s qualifications, performance, and potential. The AMS also considers the applicants’ research interests, career goals, and suitability for the AMS. The AMS admits about 300 students every year, of which about 200 are doctoral students and 100 are master’s students.

The Training Program at The AMS

The PLA Academy of Military Sciences training program is rigorous and intensive. The AMS offers two types of degrees: the academic degree and the professional degree. The academic degree is awarded to students who complete the coursework, pass the examinations, and write and defend a dissertation. The professional degree is awarded to students who complete the coursework, pass the examinations, and complete a research project. The AMS also offers non-degree programs like senior officer training and visiting scholar programs.

The Academic Curriculum

The PLA Academy of Military Sciences has a high-quality faculty and a rich curriculum. The AMS has about 500 faculty members, of which about 300 are full-time and 200 are part-time. The AMS also invites distinguished guest professors and lecturers from China and abroad. The AMS has about 20 departments and research institutes covering various disciplines and fields of military science. The AMS also has many specialized laboratories and facilities, such as the simulation center, the war game center, the information center, and the library.

Exchange Programs with Other Military Schools

The AMS has a strong academic exchange and cooperation with other military academies and research institutions in China and abroad. The AMS is a member of the International Association of Military Academies and the International Association of Military Education and Research. The AMS also has bilateral or multilateral agreements with many countries and regions, such as the United States, Russia, India, Pakistan, Brazil, South Africa, and the European Union.

The AMS is one of the most prestigious and influential military academies in China and the world. The PLA Academy of Military Sciences is comparable to other renowned military academies, such as the PLA National Defence University, the US Military Academy at West Point, the UK Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and the Russian Military Academy of the General Staff. The AMS is also recognized as a leading institution for military education and research by many international organizations and media, such as the UN, NATO, the World Bank, the Economist, and the BBC.

Tuition Cost

The tuition cost for studying at the PLA Academy of Military Sciences is relatively low compared to other military academies or civilian universities. The Chinese government and the PLA fund the AMS and, therefore, do not charge tuition fees to its students. The AMS also provides students with free accommodation, food, clothing, medical care, and transportation. The AMS also offers scholarships and financial aid to its students with financial difficulties or outstanding achievements.

The benefits of studying at the PLA Academy of Military Sciences

The benefits of studying at the PLA Academy of Military Sciences are manifold. The AMS provides a high-level and comprehensive education and training in military science, which can enhance the student’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in national defense and security. The AMS also provides a unique and valuable opportunity to interact and network with other senior military officers and civilian experts from China and abroad, which can broaden the students’ horizons and perspectives. The AMS also provides a prestigious and respected degree and credentials, which can improve the student’s career prospects and opportunities.

The challenges of studying at the AMS

The challenges of studying at the PLA Academy of Military Sciences are also significant. The AMS requires high commitment and dedication from its students, who must cope with a heavy workload, a strict schedule, and a high performance standard. The AMS also requires high adaptation and integration from its students, who must adjust to a different culture, environment, and lifestyle. The AMS also requires high responsibility and accountability from its students, who must abide by the rules and regulations of the AMS and the PLA and serve the country and the people.

Life as a student at The PLA Academy of Military Sciences

Life as a student at the PLA Academy of Military Sciences is challenging but rewarding. The AMS has a rigorous and diverse academic curriculum covering both theoretical and practical aspects of military science. The AMS also has rich and varied extracurricular activities, which include sports, arts, clubs, and social events. The AMS also has a supportive and friendly social environment, fostering camaraderie, solidarity, and mutual respect among the students and the faculty.

The AMS has a strict and disciplined discipline system, which aims to cultivate the students’ moral character, professional ethics, and military spirit. The AMS also has a clear and fair evaluation system, which assesses the student’s academic performance, research progress, and overall development. The AMS also has a comprehensive and effective guidance system, which provides students with academic, career, and personal counseling and advice.

The PLA Academy of Military Sciences has a bright and promising career outlook, preparing students for various national defense and security positions and roles. The AMS also has a loyal and proud alumni network, which connects the students with the graduates and the faculty of the AMS and provides the students with mentorship, support, and opportunities.

Some personal experiences or anecdotes from the students of the PLA Academy of Military Sciences are as follows:

• “I chose to study at the AMS because I wanted to pursue my passion and interest in military science and because I wanted to contribute to the development and modernization of the PLA and the country. I was impressed by the high-quality and comprehensive education and training that the PLA Academy of Military Sciences offered and by the prestigious and respected reputation that the AMS had. I was also attracted by the opportunity to interact and cooperate with other senior military officers and civilian experts from China and abroad, and to learn from their experiences and insights.” – Li, a doctoral student at the AMS.

Alumni of The PLA Academy of Military Sciences

The PLA Academy of Military Sciences has produced many notable alumni who have significantly impacted fields such as politics, business, science, arts, and sports. The AMS has also trained and educated many current or former leaders who have graduated from or worked at the AMS. Some examples of the AMS alumni are as follows:

• Xi Jinping, the current President of the People’s Republic of China and the Chairman of the CMC. He studied at the AMS in 1979 as a part of his military education and training. He is the supreme leader of China and the head of the Communist Party of China. He is also the chief architect of the China Dream, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the military reform.
• Fan Changlong is the former vice chairman of the CMC. He graduated from the AMS in 1982 with a master’s degree in military science. He was one of the highest-ranking military officers in China and the commander of several military regions and units. He was also involved in many important military events and missions, such as the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, the 1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis, and the 2015 China Victory Day Parade.
• Zhang Youxia is the current vice chairman of the CMC. He graduated from the AMS in 1988 with a master’s degree in military science. He is one of China’s most powerful and influential military officers and the head of the PLA Equipment Development Department. He is also a veteran of the Sino-Vietnamese War and a hero of the PLA.
• Liu Huaqing is the former vice chairman of the CMC and the commander of the PLA Navy. He graduated from the AMS in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in military science. He founded and led the PLA Navy’s modernization and expansion. He pioneered and advocated China’s maritime strategy and the first island chain concept.
• Qian Xuesen is the father of China’s missile and space program. He worked at the AMS as a part-time professor and researcher from 1958 to 1964. He was the founder and director of the Fifth Academy of the Ministry of National Defence, which later became the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. He was also the chief designer and engineer of many of China’s rockets, missiles, satellites, and spacecraft, such as the Dongfeng, Long March, Shenzhou, and Chang’e series.
• Liang Sili, the father of China’s manned space program. He worked at the AMS as a part-time professor and researcher from 1965 to 1970. He was the deputy director of the Fifth Academy of the Ministry of National Defence and the chief designer and engineer of the Shuguang project, China’s first attempt to send a human into space. He was also the chief designer and engineer of the Fengyun series, China’s meteorological satellites.
• Sun Jiadong, the father of China’s lunar exploration program. He worked at the AMS as a part-time professor and researcher from 1971 to 1976. He was the deputy director of the Fifth Academy of the Ministry of National Defence and the chief designer and engineer of the Chang’e project, China’s ongoing mission to explore the moon. He was also the chief designer and engineer of the Beidou series, China’s navigation satellites.
• Wang Xuan the father of China’s laser typesetting technology. He graduated from the AMS in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in military science. He was the founder and president of the Founder Group, one of China’s largest IT companies. He was also the inventor and developer of the laser phototypesetting system, which revolutionized the printing industry in China and the world.
• Li Peng, the former Premier of the People’s Republic of China. He graduated from the AMS in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in military science. He was the head of the Chinese government and the leader of the State Council. He was also involved in many important political and economic events and policies, such as the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, the 1997 Hong Kong handover, and the Three Gorges Dam project.
• Yang Liwei was the first Chinese astronaut in space. He graduated from the AMS in 1998 with a master’s degree in military science. He was the pilot and commander of the Shenzhou 5 mission, China’s first manned spaceflight 2003. He was also the deputy director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office and the director of the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.

These are just some AMS alumni who have made remarkable achievements and contributions to China and the world. The AMS alumni are widely respected and admired by the Chinese people and the international community. The AMS alumni are also a source of pride and inspiration for the current and future students of the AMS.

How Does The PLA Academy of Military Sciences Compare to Other Military Academies in Asia?

The AMS is one of the most prestigious and influential military academies in China and the world. It is comparable to other renowned military academies, such as the PLA National Defence University, the US Military Academy at West Point, the UK Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and the Russian Military Academy of the General Staff. However, there are also some differences and challenges that the PLA Academy of Military Sciences faces compared to other military academies in Asia.

According to this article, China’s expanding military education diplomacy in Central Asia has increased its influence and presence in the region. While the influence of Chinese military academies is not as widespread in Central Asia as in other parts of the world, in the coming years, it may have a more significant impact on the composition of military leadership compared to other countries in Eurasia. The article mentions that China has established or strengthened its cooperation with several Central Asian countries, such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan. The article also states that China has offered scholarships and training programs to Central Asian cadets and officers at various education and service levels.

The PLA Academy of Military Sciences has also participated in and supported many important military events and missions in Central Asia, such as the 2015 China Victory Day Parade in Astana (the capital city of Kazakhstan), where Xi Jinping inspected a parade of troops from China and Central Asian countries. The AMS has also provided training and education to several Central Asian cadets and officers who have graduated from or worked at the PLA Academy of Military Sciences. For example, Qasim Khan Zhumagulov graduated from the AMS in 1984 with a master’s degree in military science. He is currently a Kazakhstan Armed Forces lieutenant general and a Kostanay Military District deputy commander.

However, there are also some challenges that the AMS faces compared to other military academies in Asia. One challenge is to balance its loyalty and commitment to China with its respect and cooperation with other countries. The PLA Academy of Military Sciences is expected to uphold China’s national interests and security objectives while maintaining good relations with other countries that share common values or face common threats. The AMS is also expected to promote mutual understanding and trust among different cultures and civilizations through its academic exchange and cooperation programs.

Another challenge is to cope with the changing nature and complexity of warfare in Asia. The PLA Academy of Military Sciences is expected to prepare its students for various scenarios and situations in different regions or domains of warfare, such as land, sea, air, space, cyber, information, or hybrid warfare. The AMS is also expected to equip its students with advanced knowledge and skills that can enable them to adapt to new technologies or innovations that may affect warfare.

A third challenge is maintaining its high standards and reputation as a leading military education and research institution in Asia. The PLA Academy of Military Sciences is expected to attract talented and qualified applicants from all over Asia with outstanding academic performance, professional experience, or leadership potential. The AMS is also expected to produce competent, principled, innovative, creative, patriotic, loyalist graduates ready for service.