Established in 2024, the People's Liberation Army Cyberspace Force merges cyber and electronic warfare to disrupt, deter, and dominate in future conflicts.
With the launch of its Cyberspace Force, China has elevated the digital domain to a theatre of war. The Cyberspace Force of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is China’s newest military branch, launched on 19 April 2024.
Based in Haidian District, Beijing, and with five antennas across the country, it operates under the direct authority of the Central Military Commission (CMC).
Its creation followed the dissolution of the Strategic Support Force (SSF) and shows a broader shift in China’s approach to modern warfare. The force is tasked with both defending and attacking in the cyber domain. Additionally, it covers:
Network security
Electronic warfare
Information dominance
The Cyberspace Force plays a central role in China’s preparation for future conflicts, particularly in what the PLA calls “informatised warfare”, a doctrine focused on controlling the flow of information across all domains. By placing the unit directly under the CMC, China ensures centralised control, operational discipline, and strategic reach in cyberspace.
On 19 April 2024, the CMC formally dissolved the SSF and created three independent forces:
This marked the first time China designated cyberspace as an independent warfare domain with dedicated command, personnel, and budgetary autonomy. The Cyberspace Force now operates as a Corps Leader-grade service, headquartered in Beijing. It is led by Lieutenant General Zhang Minghua, with Lieutenant General Han Xiaodong serving as its political commissar. Its emergence reflects a shift from fragmented technical capabilities to centralised, strategic integration of cyber warfare into China’s military planning.
