D-Day for PLA: China launches new theatre commands in drive for modern military
Land force leaders continue to dominate top posts
The PLA has officially abandoned its decades-old seven military regions, replacing them with five new theatre commands in its bid to establish a modern, integrated force.
But ground force personnel still dominate the leadership of the People’s Liberation Army’s new zones, a move one analyst said would help ensure stability in the transition.
Commanders with battle experience have been put in areas with a high risk of war but the selections for the central command reflect more concern about maintaining stability
With the announcement yesterday of the new commanders and political commissars, the heads of the east, south, west, north and central commands will be responsible for the territorial defence of those areas. They will no longer directly administer the troops in each region, but focus instead on joint command of the ground, naval, air and all other forces.
As part of the changes, Lanzhou region chief General Liu Yuejun, 61, takes on the role of head of the eastern command.
General Wang Jiaocheng, 64, moves from the Shenyang region to the southern command; Jinan region commander General Zhao Zongqi, 61, becomes head of the western command; and former Beijing region commander General Song Puxuan, 62, becomes head of the northern command.
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The appointments confirm a South China Morning Post report last month.