The 46th Corps (Chinese: 第46军) was activated on November 15, 1948,[1] under the Regulation of the Redesignations of All Organizations and Units of the Army, issued by the Central Military Commission on 1 November 1948,[2] basing on the 9th Column of the Northeastern Field Army.

[3] In August 1949, the 159th Division detached from the corps to transfer to Hunan Provincial Military District's control.

From August 1952 to October 1955 the corps was deployed to North Korea as a part of the People's Volunteer Army.

By then the corps was composed of: On March 2, 1969, a reconnaissance unit from the 133rd Army Division participated in the first clash in the Zhenbao Island conflict.

The 1st and 2nd Garrison Division of Jinan Military Region were put under the corps' control.