The 73rd Division (Chinese: 第73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 19th Division, 7th Column of the Huadong Field Army.
Its history can be traced to the Riverine Detachment of 7th Division, New Fourth Army, formed in February 1943.
In February 1968 the division was returned to 23rd Army Corps control and reconstituted as 73rd Army Division again: On March 2, 1969, 1st Battalion, 217th Regiment, 73rd Division participated in the Zhenbao Island Incident under the command of Leng Pengfei, during which it ambushed a patrol group from 57th Imanskiy Border Guard Ussuriyskiy Detachment, Soviet Border Troops.
The 217th Regiment also engaged in the clash on March 15 with Soviet Border Troops and a detachment from 135th Motorised Rifle Division.
The brigade now serves as a maneuver part of PLA 78th Group Army, stationing in Qiqihar, Heilongjiang.