China’s army keeps grip on top military jobs in ‘compromise’ reshuffle
Land forces personnel maintain hold on most senior posts in the restructured PLA but new line-up is transitional, analysts say
The army will continue to dominate the top jobs in the military, despite a much-touted restructure that was expected to bolster its navy and air force.
According to a list of commanders obtained by the South China Morning Post, army personnel will head the key Joint General Staff and the new five combat zones, as well as the PLA’s new rocket and strategic support forces.
The People’s Liberation Army is streamlining its seven military commands into five and cutting 300,000 personnel to build a modern fighting force.
A source close to the army said the “old faces” from the land forces indicated President Xi Jinping had to compromise with many incumbent senior military officials who held the reins of power within the PLA.
“There has been formidable resistance inside the army since Xi formally kicked off the overhaul in September, with General Liu Yuan, who helped him bring down the three ‘biggest tigers’ in the army, needing to set a good example by retiring a year early,” a source said.
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Liu, 64, has played a high-profile role in Xi’s anti-corruption campaign and is said to be the man behind the downfall of the army’s former logistics deputy head Gu Junshan, and former Central Military Commission vice-chairmen Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou.