The Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission[1] (Chinese: 中央军委装备发展部) is a major unit of deputy theater grade under the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China. It was founded on January 11, 2016, under Xi Jinping's military reforms.[2] The department mission is to coordinate, oversee, and foster the development and acquisition of military technology.[3] General Zhang Youxia served as the first director. The current director is Xu Xueqiang. It also registers the patents related to military technology. The China Manned Space Agency is also hosted there and the department plays a critical role in the Chinese space program.[4]