China names submariner Hu Zhongming as top PLA Navy commander

Name: Why the South China Sea dispute remains one of the region’s most pressing issues
Uploaded: 2023-12-26T09:00:10.000Z
Duration: 5 min 22 s
Description: Why the South China Sea dispute remains one of the region’s most pressing issues

Hu, who replaces Dong Jun, referred to by new title for the first time in ceremony announcing his promotion to admiral

He began his naval career more than four decades ago and may have experience on nuclear submarines

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Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulates naval commander Hu Zhongming, commander of the navy, and Wang Wenquan, on his promotion to admiral. Photo: CCTV

Yuanyue Dangin Beijing

Published: 5:00pm, 26 Dec 2023

China has appointed a submarine expert as its new top naval commander, a job that includes overseeing the contested waters of the South China Sea.

State news agency Xinhua confirmed the appointment indirectly on Monday in a report that said People’s Liberation Army Navy commander Hu Zhongming had been promoted to admiral.

It was the first time Hu had been referred to as the navy’s top officer.

Wang Wenquan, political commissar of the Southern Theatre Command, was also promoted to admiral, replacing Wang Jianwu.

The appointments were approved by President Xi Jinping, who also heads the Central Military Commission, which oversees the PLA.

05:22

Why the South China Sea dispute remains one of the region’s most pressing issues

Hu joined the PLA in 1979 and captained a submarine. Mainland media reported that he had extensive experience at sea, having taken part in the navy’s first global mission and numerous exercises.

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