China is a major world superpower with one of the largest and best-equipped armies in the world. As such, it is important to ask: How many Chinese Army died? This is a complicated question with many facets. In this article, we will explore some of the main questions around the topic and assess the available data.
Answering the question of exactly how many Chinese Army have died is difficult, due to a lack of reliable statistics. Chinese official sources rarely release any information regarding military casualty figures, and in many cases this figure is masked by the larger overall death tolls reported in China’s official statistics. However, some estimates can be made. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) lost approximately 1,000 personnel in the Sino-Indian War of October-November 1962, 13 in the Sino-Soviet border clashes of March 1969, and 400 in the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War. These figures are estimates, however, and do not take into account those casualties that may have occurred during internal conflicts, training exercises and border skirmishes.
In addition to official death tolls, a more accurate picture of Chinese casualties can be gained through examining indirect indicators. According to one expert, Professor Stéphane Branchet from the Directeur de l’Institut National des Sciences Politiques, “the books of condolence by families of war casualties published over the past five years in China shed light on a potentially enormous scale of PLA fatalities”. Professor Branchet explains that, between 2012 and 2017, 11,421 Chinese families reportedly published books of condolence, dedicating them to a deceased relative who had willingly served in the Chinese armed forces. This large figure suggests that a significant number of deaths may have occurred during these years and provides a crucial insight into the true scale of the PLA’s losses across multiple conflicts.
Overall, it is difficult to accurately assess the military casualties suffered by the PLA. The available figures are either contradictory or incomplete. However, even the figures that we do have paint a grim picture, with a significant number of Chinese personnel having died in various conflicts over the years. This is an important reminder of the cost of war and serves as a stark warning against future military encounters.
Internal Conflicts
Although China is considered to be relatively peaceful as a nation, there have been some internal conflicts in recent times that have resulted in casualties for the Chinese army. One of the most noteworthy of these is the Chinese Civil War, which took place between 1927 and 1949 and resulted in an estimated 3 million deaths, including 2 million PLA soldiers. The conflict pitted the forces of the Communist Party of China, led by Mao Zedong, against the forces of the Kuomintang, led by Chiang Kai-shek. It is estimated that the Chinese army suffered heavy losses during this conflict, with casualties in the millions.
In addition to the Chinese Civil War, China has also seen a number of other conflicts within its borders. A key example of this is the Sino-Tibetan War of 1959. This conflict saw the forces of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) take on the Tibetan armed forces as China sought to gain control of Tibet. The conflict resulted in thousands of casualties on both sides, including an estimated 6,000 deaths among the PLA.
Other examples of internal conflicts that have resulted in casualties for the PLA include the Sino-Korean War of 1950-53 and the Sino-Vietnamese War of 1979. In the former, the PLA lost an estimated 1,000-2,000 personnel, while in the latter the toll was much higher, with an estimated 25,000 PLA soldiers being killed in action.
Border Skirmishes
Apart from internal conflicts, the Chinese army has also been heavily involved in border skirmishes with its neighboring countries. Perhaps the most notable example of this is the Sino-Indian border conflict of 1962. This border dispute led to an open war between India and China that lasted for a month, resulting in an estimated 3,000 casualties for Chinese forces. In addition, the PLA has also been involved in clashes with the Soviet Union and the Republic of Vietnam, resulting in further losses.
In addition to these conflicts, the PLA has also been involved in a number of minor territorial skirmishes, including skirmishes with the former Soviet Republics of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. According to some reports, these minor conflicts have resulted in casualties for the PLA, though exact figures are not available.
Training Exercises
The PLA is one of the best equipped and trained armies in the world and its troops often undergo rigorous training exercises. Unfortunately, these exercises can sometimes go wrong, resulting in casualties. One of the most notable recent examples of this was the 2017 Changshan training ground helicopter crash, which resulted in the death of four PLA personnel. The incident highlighted the risks associated with military training and served as a reminder of the importance of safe and responsible military training practices.
In addition, the PLA has also been involved in a number of simulated training exercises, both in China and abroad. These exercises have been designed to prepare PLA personnel for real-life scenarios and, in some cases, have resulted in casualties, though the precise number of deaths is not known.
Conflicts Abroad
Chinese troops have also been involved in various conflicts abroad in recent years. One of the most notable of these is the Chadian Civil War, which took place between 2006 and 2010. The PLA sent troops to Chad in support of the government forces, and although there are no exact figures available, it is believed that a significant number of Chinese soldiers lost their lives in the conflict. More recently, the PLA also sent troops to South Sudan as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission.
In addition to the Chadian conflict, the PLA has also been involved in a number of other conflicts abroad, including the Syrian Civil War and the Libyan Civil War. It is believed that a small number of PLA personnel were killed in these conflicts, though exact figures are not available. This highlights the importance of China’s presence abroad and the risks associated with sending Chinese troops overseas.
The Cost of War
Although it is impossible to accurately assess the number of Chinese Army deaths due to a lack of reliable statistics, it is clear that a significant number of Chinese personnel have lost their lives in a variety of conflicts over the years. This is an important reminder of the cost of war and serves as a stark warning against future military encounters. It is also a reminder of the importance of peace and diplomacy as a resolution to conflicts and of the need to strive for a peaceful and secure world.
Raising Awareness
With the lack of reliable statistics, and the Chinese government’s reluctance to release information on casualties, the matter is often overlooked. But it is important to remember and raise awareness of the cost of war in terms of human life-both Chinese and foreign-so that we can learn from the past and strive for better and more peaceful solutions in the future.
Better Protection for Chinese Military Personnel
Finally, it is important to consider the measures that can be taken to better protect Chinese military personnel. This includes increased spending on better equipment and training, as well as increased medical care and safety measures. It is also important that the government ensures that the family members of deceased soldiers receive the full and fair compensation they are entitled to.
Conclusion
Overall, it is difficult to accurately assess the military casualties suffered by the PLA. However, even the available data paint a grim picture, with a significant number of Chinese personnel having died in various conflicts over the years. This is an important reminder of the cost of war and serves as a stark warning against future military encounters. Furthermore, it is important to consider the measures that can be taken to better protect Chinese military personnel, including increased spending on better equipment, training and medical care.
