PLA leader's trip prompts reshuffle talk
Jinan military area command Lieutenant General Zhao Zongqi goes on an inspection trip with Fan Changlong, vice-chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission
A top leader from the Jinan military area command accompanied Fan Changlong, vice-chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission, on an inspection trip to the northwest, raising speculation over a personnel reshuffle.
Lieutenant General Zhao Zongqi, commander of Jinan, one of the seven key military regions on the mainland, "recently" went with Fan to inspect garrisons in Gansu, Xinjiang and Ningxia, according to the PLA Daily.
Zhao, 60, is the youngest commander among top leaders from the key military areas. He is also one of a handful of senior military officials who took part in China's border conflicts with Vietnam in the late 1970s.
He was promoted to lieutenant general in 2009 at age 54, and in 2012, replaced Fan as commander of Jinan when his predecessor was promoted to CMC vice-chairman.
The pairing of the two on the trip fuelled speculation over whether Zhao would be promoted to even higher rank.
The People's Liberation Army is due to announce a raft of promotions of top generals later this month, ahead of the army's anniversary on August 1.