People’s Liberation Army Daily
Founded on 1 January 1956, the People’s Liberation Army Daily (PLA Daily) serves as the official newspaper of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and functions as the authoritative voice of the Central Military Commission. Its pages closely mirror the editorial posture of the CCP’s People’s Daily, projecting the military’s messaging into the public sphere.
Media assets
Publishing: Jiěfàngjūn Bào
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
Under the stewardship of the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission (formerly the PLA General Political Department), the PLA Daily is institutionally embedded within the Chinese military’s propaganda apparatus. Its editorial staff draws largely from press bureaus across the various service branches and theater commands.
Source of funding and budget
The People’s Liberation Army Daily does not disclose financial information. Local journalists and experts interviewed for this report in March 2024 have confirmed that the publication is fully funded by the government through the army.
Editorial independence
As the PLA’s mouthpiece, the newspaper’s output is closely aligned with the government’s political posture, especially in foreign‑policy and strategic communications. Local journalists interviewed in early 2024 emphasize its unwavering fidelity to official lines. Significantly, no legal safeguards, independent audits, or oversight bodies validate editorial autonomy in any meaningful way.
August 2025