Chinese Army doubles the size of its Amphibious Mechanized Infantry Division (AMID)

Thanks to Leon for the link.  Article via Army Recognition.

The Chine Army (PLA People's Liberation Army) has doubled the size of its Amphibious Mechanized Infantry Division (AMID) to boost its combat capabilities in the event of a conflict with Taiwan or in the East or South China seas, reports the newspaper Want Daily.
The PLA originally had two AMIDs — one in the Nanjing Military Region and another in the Guangzhou Military Region — comprising a total of 26,000-30,000 soldiers. Between 2007 and 2012, Nanjing's 31st Army Group's 86th Motorized Infantry Division and Guangzhou's 41st Army Group's 123rd Mechanized Infantry Division were both reformed into AMIDs, doubling the total personnel to 52,000-60,000.
The four AMIDs will reportedly strengthen China's combat power as they can cooperate with the 20,000 troops from the PLA Marine Corps to conduct landing assault operations. Each AMID has three battle groups and can carry up to 300 amphibious transport vehicles.

Interesting.

I had been (I believe) mixing and matching units.  I only considered the Chinese Marine Corps as being the units that would come from the sea. The thought that the Chinese Army would dedicate a division to that mission strikes me as...brilliant.  Between the Amphibious Mechanized Infantry, Marine Corps and Airborne Divisions the Chinese are assembling what appears to be an EXTREMELY capable expeditionary force.

I wonder.

Would it make sense for the US Army to dedicate a Heavy Brigade Combat Team to the amphibious mission the way that they do the airborne role?  I don't think it would necessarily mean that the Army is stepping into Marine Corps turf.  Notice that I said Heavy Brigade Combat Team.  I'm beating the drum but I think that we're going to see heavy armor units in the Pacific.  I have my doubts that air power will be as decisive as some think...which means more tanks and heavy IFVs will probably be needed.