Reserve vs. Militia and the roles of PAP

The PLA is very defensive and mostly a ground fighting force, which makes militia and the reserve useful. Many people consider the militia and the reserve to be the same, but there is a difference between them. The reserve consists of soldiers just like the PLA and is considered a man-pool for the main force, so that in a crisis, the frontlines can be augmented with extra troops. The reserve does not recieve as much training as the PLA, but they are taught how to operate the main equipments fielded by the army. The militia, on the other hand, recieves minimal training and is used mainly for a long, protracted war in the heartlands of China. They are the guerillas, using basic and widespread, retired weapons like the AK-47 (Type 56). The militia may also help the main force with building defensive fortifications, forward observations, and transportation. Since the militia is mostly used in a long, protracted war as guerrillas, their importance in modern warfare is debatable, as no country at present dares to conquer China and control its large population. This makes the militia appear as just another reserve force. The People's Armed Police (PAP) is used to mobilize the population in times of war. They will help with evacuations, raise morale, and promote cohesion. The PAP will also continue to serve in maintaining internal security.