The 87th Division (Chinese: 第87师) was created in February 1949 under the Regulation of the Redesignations of All Organizations and Units of the Army, issued by Central Military Commission on November 1, 1948,[1] basing on the 33rd Brigade, 11th Column of the Huadong Field Army, which was activated in April 1948.

Under the flag of the 87th Division, it was engaged in several battles in the Chinese Civil War, including the Shanghai Campaign.

The division was under the control of Public Security Troops Command, Huadong Military Region.

In September 1985, following the disbandment of Fuzhou Military Region, the division was redesignated as 12th Garrison Division of Nanjing Military Region(Chinese: 南京军区守备第12师).

It is now serving as a coastal defense formation of the Eastern Theatre Command Ground Forces.