The concept of 军衔 in China is deeply tied to the history of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Unlike in the West where military ranks have had a more continuous history, China's system has seen significant changes reflecting its political shifts. Most notably, military ranks were abolished in 1965 during the Cultural Revolution to promote an image of an egalitarian, “classless” army. All soldiers, from the lowest private to the highest general, wore the same simple red-starred cap and collared uniform. This created massive issues with command and control. The 军衔 system was eventually reinstated in 1988 to modernize the military and align it with international standards. Today, 军衔 represents professionalism, order, and hierarchy within the PLA. It is a symbol of national strength and a source of pride. While Western military ranks are often seen through the lens of individual achievement and national service, the Chinese 军衔 system is inextricably linked to the authority of the Communist Party, as the PLA is the armed wing of the party, not the state. This adds a layer of political significance to the rank structure that is less pronounced in Western armed forces.
军衔 is a formal and specific term. You won't hear it in casual slang, but it's common in more serious contexts.
Its connotation is neutral and descriptive. It simply states a fact about a person's role in the military hierarchy.
A frequent point of confusion for English speakers is the difference between rank and position. Chinese distinguishes these two concepts clearly.
A person of the 军衔 of Colonel (上校) might hold the 职位 of Regimental Commander (团长). Think of it like a “job title” (职位) versus a “pay grade/seniority level” (军衔).