War hero tipped as Xi Jinping’s choice for key role in world’s biggest army

General Li Zuocheng, 64, a veteran of the 1979 war with Vietnam, expected to become new vice-chairman of CMC, sources say

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General Li Zuocheng, the commanding officer of the ground force of the People’s Liberation Army, is expected to fill a vice-chairman’s vacancy on the Central Military Commission. Photo: Handout.

Published: 8:00am, 17 Aug 2017Updated: 12:32pm, 24 Aug 2017

A veteran of the Sino-Vietnamese war is expected to take a key vice-chairman role on China’s powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), military sources said.

General Li Zuocheng, the 64-year-old commanding officer of the ground force of the People’s Liberation Army, will fill the vacancy left by CMC vice-chairman Xu Qiliang, several sources told the South China Morning Post.

Xu is likely to take over as CMC first vice-chairman, the sources said. Incumbent General Fan Changlong, 70, is expected to retire from that position next month.

US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter (left) welcomes General Fan Changlong, vice-chairman of China’s Central Military Commission during the Chinese military official’s 2015 US visit. Photo: EPA

Li, 64, a Hunan native, was decorated by the CMC as a war hero during China’s conflict with Vietnam in 1979, awarded a first-class merit for his personal achievements. His combat company also won a collective order of merit.

A source close to the PLA told the Post that Fan may retire next month and Xu would fill the void. A second source, who requested anonymity, said the vacancy created by Xu’s move would be filled by Li.