Central Guard Regiment
The Central Guard Unit (CGU; PLA Unit 61889), formerly known as the Central Guard Regiment (CGR; PLA Unit 8341) is a unit of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) of the People's Republic of China responsible for providing close protection to senior leaders of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and state, including the General Secretary, Premier of the State Council, Chairman of the National People's Congress, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and some members of the Politburo, and Central Committee as well as ministers and of the State Council. It is a powerful political tool for the paramount leader as it can control access to, and conduct surveillance on, its charges.
| Central Guard Unit | |
|---|---|
| 中国人民解放军61889部队 (PLA Unit 61889) | |
| Active | May 1953 – present |
| Country | People's Republic of China |
| Allegiance | Chinese Communist Party |
| Branch | People's Liberation Army Ground Force |
| Type | Security |
| Role | Close personal protection Surveillance |
| Size | Regiment |
| Part of | Central Guard Bureau of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission (nominal) People's Liberation Army Ground Force Beijing Garrison 1st Guard Division (nominal) |
| Garrison/HQ | Beijing |
| Colors | Red and Green |
| Engagements | Arrest of the Gang of Four |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Wang Dongxing |
| China portal |
The CGR is formally subordinated to the PLA General Staff Department (GSD) but political and operation control is exercised by the party through the Central Guard Bureau (CGB) of the General Office of the Central Committee (CGO); CGB deputy directors concurrently hold leadership positions in the CGR. The PLA handles personnel management, training, and logistics.
The CGR has used multiple Military Cover Unit Designators (MCUD). It was known as Unit 8341 or 8341 Special Regiment as part of the 9th Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security at the time of Mao Zedong's death, and Unit 57003 afterwards. More recently, it has been known as Unit 61889.