Field forces include infantry, tank, artillery, construction, and other sections. They are supported from the national budget and remain on call throughout the country. Local forces include units of internal security forces and border guards. They are supposed to operate in the areas where they are permanently stationed and are financed out of the budget of the Sinkiang-Uighur Autonomous Region. In times of military action they may be placed under the appropriate field commander.
Local forces have fewer personnel and their weapons are of inferior quality to field forces.
Despite its limited production in terms of China's gross national product, Eastern Turkestan's role in China's nuclear missile program has given it an important place in the military-industrial structure. Eastern Turkestan's nuclear industry ranges from the mining of atomic ore to the production and testing of nuclear equipment. Uranium is mined at Urumchi, Sikheszi, Gulja, Kashgar, Maigaiti, Alta, Chugchak and Usu. The Jumin plant for the production of plutonium-239 was completed in 1967. Its yearly production of nuclear-grade fuel runs from 200 to 300 kilograms.