Before the end of 1977, a national flag would be raised at Tian'anmen Square only on important dates including the New Year's Day, Chinese New Year's Day, Labor Day and National Day, and the task had been undertaken by a worker from the former Beijing Electricity Bureau from 1951 to 1977, according to PLA Daily.

From the end of 1977, soldiers from the PLA Beijing Garrison started to raise and lower the national flag at the square on a daily basis until December 1982, when the mission was transferred to the newly established Armed Police.

In addition to the ceremonial changes, Monday also marked a significant step in an ongoing reform of the Armed Police – the paramilitary force was placed under the unified control of the CPC Central Committee and Central Military Commission.

Under the new command chain, Armed Police units take orders directly from the force's headquarters, which, likewise, will follow directives from the Central Military Commission. The Armed Police has been included in the Central Military Commission system and no longer takes orders from the State Council.