China unexpectedly replaces army general responsible for political loyalty
Illustrative photo: China abruptly replaces army general in charge of political loyalty (chinamil.com.cn)
China has unexpectedly replaced the general overseeing political loyalty within the Ground Force of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), reports Bloomberg.
Chen Hui now holds the position, despite his lack of experience in this field. The primary responsibilities of the general include ensuring political loyalty and proper personnel management.
Previously, Chen Hui served in the Air Force and, since April 2023, has been the political commissar of the PLA Aerospace Force. He succeeds Qin Shutong, whose reasons for stepping down have not been disclosed. Qin’s predecessor retired at the age of 65, consistent with the unofficial retirement age for high-ranking military officials in China.
Questions have also arisen around the absence of Ground Force Commander Li Qiaoming and former political commissar Qin Shutong during Chen Hui's appointment ceremony.
"China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong has been intensifying his grip on the army. He ordered a reorganization of the military this year, replacing the Strategic Support Force created in 2015 with three new branches. He also held the first military political work conference since 2014, a conclave he previously used to assert his authority over the PLA," Bloomberg says.
Corruption in the PLA
The PLA, the largest military force in the world by personnel, has recently been involved in a series of corruption scandals. These incidents concerned not only two defense ministers but also several senior officials connected to the Rocket Force units and Miao Hua, who held a senior position in China's Central Military Commission.
As media reported in late November, a third Chinese defense minister is now under investigation for corruption.
