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Currently, the PLAN East Sea Fleet has two landing ship divisions. They are closely linked to the 1st Amphibious Mechanized Infantry Division (AMID) and claim to have the capability to sealift the entire division with augmented support elements (12).

The South Sea Fleet also has two landing ship divisions and one independent landing ship regiment. Zhanjiang Division is tasked to support the Nansha garrison while the Yulin Base Division is to support the Xisha Garrison. They are also geared toward lifting the 124th AMID in time of war. The Hainan Island Independent Landing Ship Regiment normally conducts offshore island support and is capable of lifting one reinforced infantry regiment of the PLA Marine.

The North Sea Fleet has only one landing ship division stationed at Miaodao Liedao.

A helicopter-borne assault force is generally considered an integral part of the PLA’s amphibious invasion force. Currently, the PLAN has 12 Z-8 and 8 SA321 Medium Transport Helicopters (MTH) in service (13). Those 20 MTH are organized in three detachments:6th Independent Regiment of the North Sea Fleet, 4th Independent Regiment of the East Sea Fleet, and the 7th Independent Regiment of the South Sea Fleet.

In 2001, under the order from Central Military Commission (CMC), five coastal Military Districts (MD) were each to form a landing craft regiment. The Guangdong, Zhejiang, Suzhou, Shandong, Shanghai, and Jiangsu MD regiments together were to be capable of sealifting three infantry divisions in total. As most of the Army landing ship assets were transfers from the Navy, a fast-paced production effort was undertaken by the Navy to replace its depleted formations. The new army unit’s officers were trained at the Navy’s Dalian Warship College (14).

In addition, each coastal Military Region (MR) (Shenyang (15), Beijing, Jinan (16), Nanjing (17) and Guangzhou) also has a Transport Daidu under the command of the Joint logistic Department (18). These five MR Transport Daidus have a limited number of landing and cargo ships that conduct day-to-day supply runs for all branches of service. They can be pressed into combat roles in an amphibious operation (19). The Nanjing MR Transport Daidu was awarded "Outstanding Transportation Group" and "Advanced Training Unit" by the Nanjing MR and General Headquarters Departments of the PLA in 2005 (20).

Some western observers such as Jane’s placed many smaller Chinese landing ships in reserve status before 2004. However, in light of recent information regarding the formation of Army landing ship units, Jane’s revised some of the listings in its current yearbook. For example, in the 2003-4 edition of Jane’s Fighting ships, 200 Type 68 Yunnan class and 30 Type 68 Yuchin were listed as reserves; however, in their August 16, 2005 update (21) that number was revised to 120 Type 68 Yunnan and 20 Type 68 Yuchin in active service.

Army landing ship assets have different pennant patterns than their naval counterparts. Their pennants start with a letter representing their MR: S for Shenyang, B for Beijing, G for Guangzhou, J for Jinan, and N for Nanjing. They are also painted with army green or dark blue instead of naval grey or white.

The PLA has long considered Army Aviation to be a component of amphibious operations and its assets should be noted as well. PLA Army Aviation has nine aviation regiments and four special aviation units (23) with 20 Mi-17, 61 Mi-17v5, and 70 Mi 171. A total of 157 MTH according to Janes. Chinese Military Aviation credited the PLA with more than 100 Mi17/171 and 86 Mi 17v5. The PLA also have a limited number of US-made S-70C Blackhawks; however, due to a lack of spares resulting from the arms embargo, it is difficult to narrow down their current operational status.

12) According to Directory of PLA Personalities, one of the landing ship divisions is the 91860 Unit.

13) “Aviation of the People's Navy” Janes’s World Air Arms, April 08 2005 update.

14) “Chinese Naval Cadets Trained in Land Warfare” People’s Daily May 19, 2002 http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200205/19/eng20020519_96012.shtml PLA Daily 09-09-2004, PLA Daily 12-7-2003

16) See PLA daily 8-5-2002. Commander: Wang Pande, Political Commissar: Liu Xinghe Including 3 formations of landing crafts.

18) Landing Ship N1807 of Nanjing Military Region, Joint Logistic Department” CCTCV report Sept 29, 2005. N1807 is a Type 209 LSM

20) Zhan Changdong and Wu De “A shipping group under Nanjing MAC practices support in light of future war” PLAdaily 2004-02-26

21) “Amphibious Warfare Capabilities, China” Jane’s Amphibious and Special force, August 16, 2005 update.

23) Chinese Military Aviation, http://mil.jschina.com.cn/huitong/mi-17_sa-342_s-70.htm