SinoDefence Forum

pendragon

As to determination . . . never underestimate a peasant! His whole life is a constant struggle. Against the element and against domination by local rulers.
Confronted with an outside force they WOULD unite and fight, see Vietnam, Somalia, Iraq, afghanistan ... better a bad local ruler than (even a good) a foreigner.
Just look at what in the beginning almoast unarmed and untrained Russian peasants performed against the german invader!
Prepared ore not.
trained or not.
You would be wise never to underestimate an angry man with a gun!

rhino123

I agree fully with u. It had all been written in history of China. But the question now and to a military planner was determination, loyalty and things like that is a big question mark. they are not hard figure or numbers and how much it can translate into actual battlefield is unknown.

Thus if I were to plan for a war, although I will not discount the militia, I will only give them backline support, some logistic and orderly support, but count fully on my regulars and reserves. And I believe this to be true for China's military generals.

vesicles

I think militia is the very last resort for China's defense. I don't think China's generals want to even think about the time when they have to depend on militia. That would be a time when all things are lost...

pendragon

not the last resort.
1. it keeps the locals controlled and busy in their spare time in peacetime
2. it keeps the locals controlled and protected (much like US national guard units) while the regulars are engaged in battle in wartime
3. it provides rear echelon logistical support for the army in wartime
4. it provides the regular army with a pool of recruits for standard (infantry) personell in case of a prolonged war

Militia would no longer be financed if it didn't carry out a meaningful task in modern China!

vesicles

I believe that most of the tasks you mentioned belong to PAP or the reserves, NOT militia.