In the early days of the founding of New China, the total strength of the People's Liberation Army reached 5.5 million. 1June, 950, the plan for streamlining and reorganizing the staff meeting of the whole army stipulated that the whole army would have a quota of 4 million people.

In that year, the whole army demobilized more than 239 thousand people. Soon, the Korean War broke out and the streamlining and reorganization work was terminated. By the end of 195 1, the total number of the whole army had reached 6.27 million, which was the largest period in the history of the PLA.

Extended data:

The first time: it is planned to reduce the total number of troops from 5.5 million to 4 million.

When New China was founded, the total number of PLA personnel reached 5.5 million, which was basically a "millet plus rifle" army, with no air force and navy and few technical arms. 1950 in April, the central government decided to reduce the total number of generals from 5.5 million to 4 million.

Due to the outbreak of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, the streamlining work failed to continue and the army was expanded. By June 195 1, the total number of troops had increased to 6.27 million, which was the largest period in the history of the PLA.

Second time: 6.27 million reduced to 4 million.

195 1 At the end of the year, the domestic large-scale struggle against bandits won a decisive victory, and the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea turned into a defensive war, and the situation was relatively stable. The Central Military Commission decided 1952 to streamline and reorganize the PLA on a large scale again.

During the period of 1952, the streamlining work was carried out in an all-round way, and by the end of the year, the total number of the whole army was reduced to more than 4 million.

People's Daily Online-Summary of China's previous disarmament data