The 197th Division (Chinese: 第197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, basing on the 2nd brigade, 1st Column of the Huabei Military Region.
Its history could be traced to the 2nd Independent Brigade of Jinchaji Military Region, formed in August 1947.
Under the flag of 197th division it took part in several major battles during the Chinese Civil War.
In October 1950 the division entered Korea along with the Corps and became a part of the People's Volunteer Army (Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) or Chinese Communist Forces (CCF)) during the Korean War with a standard strength of approximately 10,000 men.
Since then the division was composed of: In August 1985, following 66th Army Corps' disbandment, the division was reduced and renamed as 5th Garrison Brigade of Beijing Military Region(Chinese: 北京军区守备第5旅) and transferred to 24th Army's control.