No new generals named on Chinese military anniversary as Xi Jinping breaks with tradition
Promotions usually announced to boost morale, but analysts say they’re ‘not a must’ for president and he prefers to elevate people based on merit and need
Chinese President Xi Jinping broke with tradition by choosing not to name any new generals during the People’s Liberation Army anniversary this year, a move analysts say shows a preference for promoting people based only on merit and need.
It was also the first time Xi did not announce any promotions during the event since he took over as head of the world’s biggest army in late 2012.
Military analysts said this could become “standard practice” in the future, with Xi preferring to elevate talent based on their performance in combat drills as well as the political climate.
In the past, new generals have been named on the eve of the PLA’s anniversary on August 1 as a way to boost morale within the military. Nearly 30 people have been given the full general title since Xi took over in 2012 to last year – with 27 of those announced on the traditional anniversary eve.
Last year, the president promoted nearly 140 people to the ranks of lieutenant general, major general and general ahead of the twice-a-decade Communist Party congress in October.