President Xi Jinping, in his capacity as chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), has signed an official order to unveil the newly designed flags of four key branches of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), marking a significant step in the formalisation of China’s military identity in the modern era. The new flags represent the aerospace force, cyberspace force, information support force, and joint logistics support force, and were introduced on 1 August, China’s Army Day.
In a message commemorating the occasion, Xi extended his greetings and appreciation to service members across the PLA and the People’s Armed Police Force, as well as to civilian personnel stationed within the military, and members of China’s reserve forces and militia. His remarks underscore a continued emphasis on unity, professionalism, and technological advancement within the armed forces.
The introduction of the new flags marks the establishment of a comprehensive military flag system for the PLA in what officials describe as the “new era”. This system now includes the central PLA flag, the flags of the army, navy, air force, and rocket force, as well as the newly revealed banners of the aerospace, cyberspace, information support, and joint logistics support forces. The new symbols are intended to reflect the growing sophistication and diversification of the PLA’s operational capabilities, particularly in domains such as space, cyber operations, and integrated logistics.
Beginning 1 August, the new flags have been placed into official use across the respective branches. Alongside this development, the CMC has issued a decision to revise and adjust the existing trial regulations governing military flags. The revised provisions aim to clarify and standardise the types and applications of military flags across the armed forces, ensuring their proper use and upholding their symbolic authority through legal and procedural measures.
This move forms part of a broader effort by Chinese military leadership to modernise its forces, reinforce institutional discipline, and promote a unified visual identity that aligns with the country’s strategic ambitions. The updated flag system not only serves a ceremonial function but also reinforces the operational structure of a military increasingly defined by advanced technology, information dominance, and multi-domain coordination.
