Mobile devices purifying drinking water, senior technicians repairing transport vehicles, and general helicopters evacuating the "wounded"—these were highlights of a recent field training exercise by a military unit stationed in Shijiazhuang, supported by local organizations. Personnel from both military and civilian sectors noted that the seamless coordination was largely due to the efforts of the city's National Defense Mobilization Work Federation. The federation's mission is to "smooth the channels for converting potential into actual capacity." To achieve this, it identifies military needs while connecting them with local capabilities, seeking a balance between defense, social, and economic benefits as it explores pathways for the growth of public-serving defense mobilization organizations.
In October 2025, the Shijiazhuang National Defense Mobilization Work Federation was officially registered, becoming a pioneer among China's provincial capital cities. While governments at the county level and above typically establish defense mobilization offices and joint offices with military organs, the federation plays a distinct role. Operating under the guidance of the municipal defense mobilization office, this nonprofit organization serves as a bridge linking government agencies with societal mobilization resources. According to its leadership, defense mobilization involves transforming potential into tangible strength—a process heavily reliant on enterprises. Compared to government bodies, public organizations like the federation offer greater flexibility in engaging businesses and coordinating resources, thereby extending administrative reach and improving efficiency in mobilizing latent capacities.
The federation's honorary president emphasized that its establishment aims to "break through the last mile of defense mobilization." By adopting a "voluntary participation, win-win cooperation" approach, the federation has issued open invitations for collaboration. Currently, it boasts 117 member units, including traditional and emerging enterprises, universities, and research institutes spanning sectors such as electronics, artificial intelligence, equipment manufacturing, and commerce logistics.
In the information age, even high-quality potential can go unnoticed—a challenge in defense mobilization preparation. A military academy in Shijiazhuang, responsible for training defense mobilization commanders, found value in the federation's initiative to connect them with member enterprises. Through site visits, the academy designated several companies as practice bases, turning abstract mobilization concepts into tangible examples. For instance, trainees visiting a pharmaceutical company were impressed by a new hemostatic drug capable of addressing arterial bleeding—one of many standout products from member enterprises that garnered attention.
Emergency material transport is a critical aspect of defense mobilization, yet some commanders lack clarity on procedures and timelines. A training session at a member enterprise demonstrated efficient warehouse operations: forklift operators swiftly retrieved goods from high-density storage, while transport convoys followed smart-system-generated routes to simulated mission areas. Participants reported greater confidence in drafting future transport plans.
The federation follows a two-way understanding approach: ensuring military units know what resources are available, how to access them, and who to contact, while helping local entities grasp military requirements regarding quantity, timing, and delivery methods. Through holiday visits and consultations, the federation gathers precise needs from military units, preparing the groundwork for supply-demand matching.
On April 9, the federation led member representatives to Beijing for a seminar on coordinated defense mobilization development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Its logo, featuring three figures standing together, symbolizes collective effort. A staff member explained that looking beyond local boundaries to share resources and complement strengths with partner organizations is a key strategy. Leaders from the Shijiazhuang Defense Mobilization Office noted that many enterprises "conduct R&D in Beijing-Tianjin, manufacture in Hebei, and apply products nationwide," necessitating a broader,产业链-focused approach to expand the mobilization network.
Leveraging regional coordination, the federation has partnered with peer organizations on multiple projects, assisting companies in transitioning from R&D to mass production and real-world application. Talent is fundamental to potential conversion: the federation has enlisted over 20 university professors and research experts as committee members. According to the federation secretary, these experts bring rich knowledge and cross-regional project experience, helping identify and deepen high-quality potential for defense applications.
To align diverse efforts, the federation—guided by the municipal defense mobilization office—has organized joint research with members and experts on topics such as modern logistics in defense transport and AI-enhanced defense education. These studies provide clear roadmaps and practical tools, steadily smoothing the pathway for converting premium potential into defense-ready strength.
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