Background
The Beijing Military Attaché Corps is a social and professional organization of military attachés accredited to the People’s Republic of China, and posted to Beijing. All military attachés are eligible to join BMAC, and although a small number choose not to, as of November 2023 BMAC has members from over 115 countries.
BMAC aims to promote the standards, customs and traditions common to the military profession; and also provides support and advice to all attachés in order to assist them in their professional and family lives during their time in Beijing. It is not a diplomatic organization, however: rather, individual attachés engage China directly, in line with their own national interests and perspectives.
Mission
The key tasks of BMAC are to:
a. promote relations between its members and their respective spouses/partners, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and citizens of the PRC;
b. in conjunction with the PLA, ensure that all BMAC Members are kept informed of defense and other related matters in China. This is achieved through visits and briefings organized by the PLA, complementary activities such as briefings on the Chinese strategic context from commentators, government officials, independent think tanks, academics and Chinese ‘think tanks’.
c. encourage the exchange of information within the Corps.
d. promote corporate spirit within the Corps by organizing social and sporting activities; and
e. assist spouses during their time in Beijing by coordinating a series of activities.
Structure
BMAC includes five Regional Groups (AGREMILA [Latin America], Africa-Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America), three Service Clubs (Army, Navy and Air Force), and the Beijing Military Attaché Spouses Club (BMASC). Each of these groups has its own committee or board, elected by its own members. Every military attaché automatically belongs to their own Regional Group, and may also join one or more of the Service Clubs.
The main roles of the Regional Groups are to facilitate the flow of information within BMAC to regional members, and to provide a venue for members to learn about their own region’s security issues and challenges.
The main roles of the Service Clubs are to conduct professional development activities (often in conjunction with PLA agencies and/or local businesses), stimulating camaraderie and conviviality among their members, and promoting cordial and professional relationships with the their respective counterpart PLA Services.
The aim of the BMASC is to stimulate camaraderie and conviviality among attaché spouses and partners by coordinating a range of suitable activities.
Executive Committee
BMAC is led by a 14-member Executive Committee. The Executive Committee comprises five elected positions (Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Social Coordinator and Sports Coordinator), the Chairs of the five Regional Groups and three Service Clubs, and the President of BMASC.
The Executive Committee is responsible for setting policy, managing general BMAC business, liaison with the PLA Office for International Military Coordination (OIMC), and coordinating programs and activities that involve all members.
The Executive Committee also works closely with the Dean of the Military Attaché Corps in China, who is normally a long-serving attaché recognized by the OIMC as the symbolic ‘head’ of the military attaché community.
Support Staff Association Beijing
Mention should also be made of the Support Staff Association Beijing (SSAB). SSAB is a parallel grouping of members of resident defense sections who, because of their non-accredited status, are not eligible to join BMAC. The aim of the SSAB is to stimulate camaraderie and conviviality among members and their spouses/partners by coordinating a range of suitable activities. BMAC works closely with SSAB, including allowing its members to join BMAC Service Clubs and attend BMAC events.
PLA Office for International Military Coordination
The PLA Office for International Military Cooperation (OIMC) engages the BMAC and facilitates a range of different activities. These include study tours, functions, invitations to Xiangshan Forum and Zhuhai Air Show, and activities for BMASC. In return, BMAC invites OIMC to its annual events: International Day, Family Social and Sports Day, BMAC Hails & Farewells functions, and the BMAC Gala.