It was created in January 2016 following the military reforms under CMC chairman Xi Jinping.

The department leads all political and cultural activities in the People's Liberation Army.

[2] The Political Work Department's Liaison Department controls a United Front organization called the China Association for International Friendly Contact (CAIFC) that is active in overseas intelligence gathering and influence operations.

[3][4][5][6] In November 2015 the General Political Department of the PLA was abolished and was replaced with the CMC Political Work Department as part of Chairman Xi Jinping's military reforms.

[7][8] Its role is to integrate the CCP and its ideology and propaganda into the People's Liberation Army.