Analysis: PLA Expected to Promote Two Generals Before Army Day

(CNA Hong Kong, July 1) -- According to analysis, People's Liberation Army (PLA) Lieutenant Generals Zhang Shuguang of the Army and Wang Gang of the Air Force are expected to be promoted to full General this month, before the "August 1st" Army Day. Additionally, former Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong is believed to have been appointed Executive Deputy Director of the Central National Security Commission Office.

An article in Ming Pao today pointed out that a concert celebrating the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing the night before last, attended by approximately 3,000 people, including Xi Jinping and other CPC leaders. Observers noted the presence of PLA generals at the concert: Admiral Dong Jun of the Navy, Lieutenant General Zhang Shuguang of the Army, Admiral Han Shengyan of the Air Force, and Lieutenant General Wang Gang of the Air Force.

Dong Jun is the Minister of National Defense, Han Shengyan is the Commander of the Central Theater Command, Zhang Shuguang was the former Secretary of the Army's Disciplinary Committee (presiding over the Army's political work), and Wang Gang was the former Deputy Commander of the Air Force (presiding over military work).

The article stated that the PLA is undergoing an unprecedented anti-corruption storm. Apart from the Chairman of the Central Military Commission, five out of the six leaders of the Central Military Commission have fallen. Major theater commands and military branches are "leaderless," and only four full Generals remain in the entire army: Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Shengmin, Dong Jun, Han Shengyan, and Commander of the Eastern Theater Command Yang Zhibin.

The article indicated that, under normal circumstances, the seating arrangement suggests that Zhang Shuguang and Wang Gang are likely to be promoted to full General in July, before Army Day on August 1st.

It is understood that Zhang Shuguang previously served as Director of the Supervision and Inspection Bureau of the Central Military Commission's Disciplinary Committee, Secretary of the Northern Theater Command Air Force's Disciplinary Committee, and Secretary of the Army's Disciplinary Committee. He is a former subordinate of Zhang Shengmin, who concurrently serves as Secretary of the Central Military Commission's Disciplinary Committee. It has not yet been confirmed whether he has taken over the position of Secretary of the Central Military Commission's Disciplinary Committee.

Wang Gang previously served as Assistant Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and Deputy Commander of the Air Force. He is expected to succeed the "missing" Chang Dingqiu as Commander of the Air Force.

The article also pointed out that Sun Weidong also attended the concert. His seating position was after Tang Fangyu, Director of the Central Policy Research Office, and before Zhuang Rongwen, Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China. According to the ranking of central government organs in Beijing, this indicates that Sun Weidong has been appointed Executive Deputy Director of the Central National Security Commission Office.

In mid-April, the State Council of China announced the removal of Sun Weidong from his position as Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. At that time, Ming Pao revealed that Sun Weidong would be transferred to the position of Executive Deputy Director of the Office of the Central National Security Commission of the CPC, a promotion to full ministerial level. (Editor: Chen Kaiyu) 1150701

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