Associates of disgraced PLA general Xu Caihou may have been purged for 'disloyalty'
Two generals tied to top PLA officer Xu Caihou have been moved from their posts, possibly for failing to pledge allegiance to Xi Jinping
The fate of two major generals linked to a high-ranking PLA officer under investigation for corruption are in doubt amid a reshuffle of personnel that suggests disloyal officers are being purged, analysts say.
Recent changes in the senior ranks have taken place in the Lanzhou and Shenyang military commands, the power bases of Xu Caihou. Xu is a former vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission.
In one recent case, Major General Xu Yuanlin, the former political department director of the Lanzhou Military Command, was replaced by Lieutenant General Zhou Weimin, who attended a Martyrs' Day commemoration in Gansu on Sunday, the reported
No mainland media organisations have reported the whereabouts of Xu Yuanlin or his new post so far. Just three months ago, he was reported to have succeeded Lieutenant General Fan Changmi as head of ideological education for Lanzhou sol diers.
On Friday, state media reported that Major General Gao Guanghui , who commanded the 16th Army Corps at the Shenyang military command, was replaced by Major General Tan Min , the former commander of the 26th Army Corps at the Jinan military command. Gao's new position is also unclear.
"There are three possible consequences for Xu and Gao - forced retirement, assisting the investigation of Xu Caihou or undergoing as they were all promoted by Xu," a retired PLA colonel told the on condition of anonymity is an internal disciplinary process for party members, especially those suspected of graft.
"But I don't think all senior military officials promoted during Xu's era will be kicked out. Some were elevated on account of their personal capabilities," the retired veteran said. "I think Xu and Gao were purged for refusing to show allegiance to President Xi Jinping ."
Xi is also chairman of the Central Military Commission.
Gao, 51, had held his post since 2009. He was the PLA's youngest army commander when he was promoted by Xu. Gao is also a PLA delegate to the National People's Congress.
Zhou, 60, who replaced Xu Yuanlin, joined the PLA at age 18. A veteran of the Sino-Vietnam border war in the late 1970s, he is one of a few battle-tested generals.
"Xi will definitely weed out associates of Xu Caihou to ensure all commanders are absolutely loyal to him," said Shanghai-based military commentator Ni Lexiong . "But Xi also wants a combat-ready military, so he would probably promote capable commanders who pledged their allegiance to him."
