What China’s new military leadership line-up says about Xi’s plans for Taiwan
- Xi’s appointees to China’s top military decision-making and command body boast combat experience and Taiwan expertise
- While this doesn’t necessarily portend a confrontation in the Taiwan Strait, it does point to a more military-focused approach to the Taiwan issue
Their appointment also signals that Xi is more serious about Taiwan.
The CMC is China’s highest military operational and decision-making body. Distinct from the Ministry of National Defence of the People’s Republic of China – whose primary purpose is to interface with foreign militaries and publish news about the Chinese military – the CMC has operational oversight of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), China’s armed forces, and oversees its strategy, doctrine, personnel, equipment, and funding and assets, among other duties.
The body is led by Xi, its chairman, two vice-chairman and four other members who together form the nucleus of China’s military operations.
Zhang, who served as the second vice-chair on the last CMC, was so desirable a choice that Xi brought him on to serve another term despite Zhang being 72, breaking the normal protocol for retirement at 68.
Below Zhang is General He Weidong, a fellow vice-chairman, and new CMC member Admiral Miao Hua, both of whom were working in Fujian province in the late 1990s and early 2000s when Xi was the province’s deputy party secretary and governor. Xi and He also reportedly overlapped when Xi was party secretary of Zhejiang province.
Beyond these close connections, the new line-up of leaders stands out for several reasons.
It was not that big of a surprise that Xi chose to retain Zhang Youxia, a close and experienced ally. The appointment of the other vice-chairman, He Weidong, was.
He recently served as commander of the ETC, with responsibility over Taiwan and the East China Sea. He also served briefly on the CMC’s joint operations command centre – the top joint command and control centre of the PLA. In this sense, He is arguably one of the most knowledgeable military planners on Taiwan in the PLA.
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However, He had not previously served on the Central Committee of the Communist Party nor on the CMC – two preparatory posts for future vice-chairman spots. Xi essentially had He jump two grades to land the second CMC vice-chairmanship – a strong sign of endorsement, and an unmistakable signal that operational experience near Taiwan matters for military leadership.
When viewed in the context of the other CMC appointments, He’s rise raises alarm bells about the implications for military tension between the People’s Republic and Taiwan.
Meanwhile, new appointee Miao Hua has an extensive background in military districts in Xiamen opposite Taiwan.
Lyle J. Morris is a senior fellow for foreign policy and national security at the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis