The Chinese Type 56 Assault Rifle is a copy of the AK-47 Kalashnikov. The rifle exists in three variants; Type 56 (with fixed stock), Type 56-1 (with under-folding stock) and Type 56-2 (sideways folding stock). This series of rifles is most easily identified by the folding "spike" bayonet attached to the barrel just aft of the muzzle.

It's easy to confuse this rifle with the Chinese Type 56 Carbine because of the name, but they are two very different rifles and are based on two different designs. It is still strange that the "carbine" version is 15 cm longer than the "assault rifle" version.