The Type 56 (Chinese: 56式突击步枪; literally; "Assault Rifle, Model of 1956") [12] is a Chinese 7.62×39mm automatic rifle, a licensed derivative of the Soviet-designed AK-47 (specifically Type 3 variant).

The Type 56 rifle was adopted by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) designated as the "Type 1956 Submachine Gun", because the Type 56 took the role of SMG rather than infantry service rifle in the PLA in the rifle's early service years.[13] Production started in 1956 at State Factory 66 but was eventually handed over to Norinco and PolyTech, who continue to manufacture the rifle primarily for export