Thursday marks the 92nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

The PLA was divided into three main branches: Army, Navy, and Air Force after the founding of New China in 1949. Now the PLA has put in place a system with six professional service branches in response to the call of a modern and specialized military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, Strategic Support Force, and Joint Logistic Support Force.

As part of the military reform, the former seven military area commands – Shenyang, Beijing, Lanzhou, Ji'nan, Nanjing, Guangzhou and Chengdu – were reorganized into five theater commands in 2016: the Eastern Theater Command, the Southern Theater Command, the Western Theater Command, the Northern Theater Command, and the Central Theater Command.

The PLA contributes the second largest defense budget in the world. But in terms of the share to GDP, it stands way behind major world powers like the United States, Russia and the UK. China's defense expenditure has maintained a moderate and steady growth in step with its national economic development.

Read more about the structural reform and defense spending of China's military:

China's defense white paper in graphics: Reform, spending and strategy

International responsibilities and obligations

A white paper titled "China's National Defense in the New Era," released last month by the Chinese government, states "never seeking hegemony, expansion, or spheres of influence" as the distinctive feature of China's national defense in the new era.

Committed to making a positive contribution to building a community with a shared future for mankind, China's armed forces have been active in taking its shared responsibilities and obligations of the international community. 

They've actively participated in the UN peacekeeping operations, vessel protection operations, and international efforts in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

China is the second largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget and sends most troops among five permanent members of the Security Council.

Read more on the PLA's peacekeeping operation:

Graphics: China's role in world's peacekeeping cause

The PLA has also been playing a constructive role in strengthening international cooperation in arms control and non-proliferation, and making concerted efforts to respond to global challenges such as terrorism and cyber-security.

(Graphics by Li Jingjie, Yin Yating, Gao Hongmei, Zhang Xuecheng)