That's the export version of the Type 03 assault rifle:
I semi-translated the articles about the Type 03 from DBOY's Gun World......
It is common for the people to mistakenly believes that the QBZ95A was the improved version of Type 87 and 87A, obviously they were ignored the two crucial details: the overall shape of the receiver and the gas port.
When the design of the small calibre weapon system started in 1989, there were proposals for weapons in bullpup and conventional layout from the start. Although the bullpup version(later became the QBZ95) was already type-classified, but because of the inherent drawback of the bullpup designs, plus someone in the higher-ups throught that they should provide two different designs and let the forces to choose from and, therefore, the development of the conventional version has continued.
Type 95A Rifle
During its development, however,
it was realized that the major components from the QBZ95 cannot be fitted into the weapon of conventional layout. Because of this, the initial requirement of major component interchangeability between two designs was dropped,
and the designation of the finalized version was changed to "Type 03 Rifle".
Type 03 Rifle
Currently there isn't much detailed information about this rifle,
but judging from the unveiled photos one of its drawback is the receiver is appears to be time comsuming to built, and this seems to be confirmed during the production trial. On the internet, the two most noticable debates about this weapon are: "Conventional Vs. Bullpup layout" which has been debated for years, and its aesthetic value.
Among the debate of its appearance, the most heated one is its flash hider. Many people determined that the it looks uglier than the more usual "bird-cage" style, but it must be noticed it has finalized after many experiments. At this barrel-length, the chamber pressure of the 5.8mm cartridge is higher than the 5.56mm, if the muzzle-expanding device(i.e. AKS-74U) was utilized, the standard rifle grenade will not fit to the muzzle, so it is not possible to use M16-style muzzle brake without increasing the muzzle blast and recoil. The FN Minimi, for example, its original trumpet-shaped flash hider was superior to the bird-cage style flash hider(same as M16A2, installed on M249) in terms of flash-hiding and dust-blowing effects.
The QBU88 GPMG's flash hider, which is modeled after Minimi, was found have lower muzzle flash signature than the QSZ92 pistol during the experiment. Therefore, the flash hider on the Type 03 is the result of "form follows function".
If ones look at the flash hider of the Type 95 carefully, you'd find out that it is also of trumpet-style-the strenghtening ribs on the exterior make it looks a orthadox bird-cage hider. During its service, however, the rib on the flash hider is prone to damage when knocked around, and the part that connects between the barrel and flash-hider is too short.
The main reason of this flash-hider was not used on Type 03 is that it was casted. The Chinese-made casted metal component was not known for its quality, so rather than drilling holes on the cast component(which will compromise its strength), it is better-off milled from a billet like the Type 03, which is more consistent on both cost and quality. On the other hand, its receiver is more difficult to produce the the one on Type 95.
The close-up shot of the Type 03's controversial flash hider
Bolt carrier and bolt head of Type 03(above) and QBZ95(below)
QBZ95(above) and Type 03
Type 03, Field Stripped
It appears that it is in service with certain PLA units:
