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Jiang elevates generals to top echelon of PLA
2000-06-22
Hong Kong - Chinese President Jiang Zemin has consolidated his hold on the military by promoting 16 senior officers to full general, South China Morning Post reported.The batch of senior-level promotions was one of the largest since the military rank system was reinstated in 1988. The officers who have been elevated come from PLA units including the General Staff Department, the General Political Department, the General Logistics Department, the General Equipment Department, the naval and air forces, the Academy of Military Science, and the Beijing and Chengdu military regions. The political commissar of the paramilitary People's Armed Police was also moved up. Those upgraded to the most senior PLA rank include the four Vice-Chiefs of General Staff, Generals Kui Fulin, Wu Quanxu, Qian Shugen, and Xiong Guangkai.Three Vice-Chiefs of the General Political Department, Tang Tianbiao, Yuan Shoufang, and Zhang Shutian, were also promoted. A military source said the need for rejuvenation was behind the promotions. At least half of the 16 were tipped to retire at the 16th Communist Party Congress in 2002, and the promotions were seen as a reward for distinguished service. Xinhua reported last night that Mr Jiang, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, handed out certificates of command to the 16 officers at a special ceremony in Beijing. The order for the promotion was read out by Jiang protege Vice-President Hu Jintao, also vice-chairman of the commission. The military source added that since becoming commission chairman in 1990, Mr Jiang had been successful in installing his proteges in key positions. He said Mr Jiang's hold on the army would be strengthened in the run-up to and after the 16th Party Congress.
China defence chief to visit SE Asia (2001-02-02)China Said Have No Intention to Attack Taiwan (2000-07-12)Jiang elevates generals to top echelon of PLA (2000-06-22)China raises combat readiness (2000-04-29)Hu Jintao appointed to Chinese state military post (1999-11-01)
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