China’s military promotes 2 new generals after anti-corruption purge thins ranks

China's military has promoted Zhang Shuguang and air force commander Wang Gang to generals. This move follows the removal of several top military leaders due to an ongoing anti-corruption campaign. The promotions, presented by Xi Jinping, are seen as a potential precursor to a reorganization of the military's top body, the Central Military Commission, which has been significantly thinned by the investigations. Zhang Shuguang has also been appointed to lead the commission's corruption investigation division. These promotions could position the new generals to fill vacancies on the seven-member commission, which is chaired by Xi and currently has only two members. A new commission is anticipated in the fall of next year.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has appointed Zhang Shuguang as the new head of the Central Military Commission’s Discipline Inspection Commission, the military's top anti-corruption body. Zhang was promoted from lieutenant general to full general for this role and will also serve as director of the CMC’s supervision committee, succeeding Zhang Shengmin. In a separate development, Wang Gang was also promoted to full general and will lead the People’s Liberation Army Air Force. These appointments were reported by state broadcaster CCTV.

Lieutenant Generals Zhang Shuguang and Wang Gang were prominently seated at a high-profile ceremony marking the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party's founding. This placement, at the front of the military leadership section alongside full generals and attended by President Xi Jinping and other Politburo Standing Committee members, suggests they are front-runners for future leadership positions within the People's Liberation Army. The event took place on Monday evening.