PLA Air Force promotions signal start of changes for 19th party congress
Trio of regional officers to take up top political appointments
Three senior regional air service officials have been promoted and relocated to the political department of the army's air force, the mouthpiece of the Chinese air force has reported.
The air force appointments show that the PLA has started preparations for changes to its military leadership due at the 19th party congress in 2017, when several top military officials are expected to retire.
Lieutenant General Yu Zhongfu, former political commissar of Nanjing military command's air force, was promoted to political commissar of the air force, replacing General Tian Xiusi, the Air Force Newspaper said.
Tian, 65, was one of the few generals to have seen actual fighting. He joined the artillery forces in Xinjiang in 1968. Tian was 35 when he was sent to the front line after the border conflict between China and Vietnam broke out on Dong Re Lao Mountain in 1979.
Tian's retirement had been expected as he had reached the maximum serving age for higher-ranking officials.
Defence Minister Chang Wanquan , 66, who also fought in the Lao Mountain battle, might also retire soon as the serving age for Central Military Command figures is 68.