The Chinese army announced a series of major changes in high-ranking positions last month, reflecting a drive to strengthen links between headquarters and grass-roots units, and between theory and practice in military affairs.
On July 24, speaking at a study session of the Politburo on the eve of Army Day, President Hu Jintao said, "We should enhance civil-military integration in the army training system." His statement was seen as an endorsement of the policy of "welcoming high-level personnel from society to work in the army."
According to a report in the Chongqing Evening News on July 29, nine officers were transferred from army headquarters to grass-roots units, military academies and scientific research institutes, and seven people were transferred in the reverse direction from these institutions to headquarters. Seven people in total were transferred from military academies to new positions either at headquarters or in grass-roots units, while 10 serving officers were transferred to military academies.
A summary of the main changes follows:
General HQ of the Chinese Army
1. PLA General Staff Department
Vice Chief of Staff, General Liu Zhenwu and Assistant Chief, Lieutenant General Yang Zhiqi have retired.
General Hou Shuseng, Chief of the Shenyang Military Region, was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff of the PLA. Chen Yong, Dean of Nanjing Army Command College, was appointed Assistant Chief of the General Staff.
Hao Yeli, a former college dean, was promoted minister of general headquarters, an example of the appointment of a former scholar to a high-ranking officer post.
General Staff officers exchanged positions with leading cadres from a number of military regions. Bai Jianjun, a commander from the Jinnan Military Region, was named a minister in the General Staff Department, while Mou Mingbin, a vice-minister, was transferred to Shenyang Military Region as a vice-commander.
2. PLA General Political Department
Chai Shaoliang, the General-Secretary of the general office of the department, was appointed Minister of the Organization Department; his position was taken by Zhang Gongxian, a director from the Chengdu Military Region.
3. PLA General Logistics Department
Vice-ministers Ding Jiye and Qin Yinhe were promoted from Major General to Lieutenant General, while Wang Qianzhong, also a vice-minister, resigned.
4. PLA General Armaments Department
Vice-Director Zhang Jianqi is to resign and Niu Hongguang is promoted to Vice Director. Top officers from two subordinate sections of the department, the Baicheng Weapons Test Center and the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, exchanged positions.
Military regions and People's Armed Police
Major General Liu Jiaguo, the Director of the political department of the Guizhou Military Region, was appointed director of the Chendu Military Region.
There were a number of transfers between military regions and the People’s Armed Police. Lu Jiancheng, a political commissar from the People’s Armed Police, was appointed vice political commissar of the Jinnan Military Region, while Wei Liang from the Jinnan Military Region was appointed Director of the Political Department of the People’s Armed Police.
Provincial Military Districts
Among personnel appointments in provincial military districts, the changes in the Nanjing Military Region were the most significant.
Xu Yuanchao was appointed Commander of the Jiangsu Provincial District. His former position as Commander of Anhui Provincial District was taken by Meng Zhaobin, formerly vice-Commander of Fujian Provincial District. Wang Qingguang, a vice-Commander from the Nanjing Military Region was promoted Commander of the Fujian Provincial District.
Armed Services
1. People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)
Of the main branches of the armed services, PLAN experienced the most personnel changes in this round. Xu Jianzhong, director of the political department of PLAN became the Deputy political commissar of PLAN. Meng Tao, a minister from PLAN was appointed Vice-Chief of Staff of the North Sea Fleet (NSF). Du Xiping, vice-Commander of the East Sea Fleet (ESF) took the position of vice-Commander of NSF. Gao Bo from the Shenyang Military Region was appointed vice-Chief of Staff of the South Sea Fleet (SSF).
There were also post swaps between military colleges and PLAN. Wang Zhaohai, vice dean of the Academy of Military Sciences became director of the political department of PLAN. Rear Admiral Xu Lili (female), former Political Commissar of the Logistics Department of the PLA Navy, was appointed vice dean of the PLA Academy of Military Science. Zheng Hengbin of SSF was appointed vice director of the political department of the Naval University of Engineering
2. People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)
Appointments in PLAAF were mainly exchanges between military regions. Ye Zhengtian, vice- Commander of the Air Force of the Nanjing Military Region, was appointed vice-Commander of the Air Force of Guangzhou Military Region. Wang Tieyi, an officer from the Air Force of the Guangzhou Military Region, was promoted vice-Chief of Staff in the Air Force of Shenyang Military Region.
3. Second Artillery Corps (SAC)
Internal promotion and exchanges with military colleges figured in SAC appointments. Gao Jin, vice-Commander of a military base, was promoted to Commander. Xin Guangjun, the director of the political department at the Second Artillery's Command College was appointed as the vice- Political Commissar of a military base.
(China.org.cn by Ma Yujia July 31, 2009)
