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China’s 20th Party Congress
ChinaMilitary

Close Xi Jinping ally Zhang Youxia, 72, set for bigger PLA command role

  • Three PLA generals over 68 missing from Central Committee roster, signalling exit from top military decision-making body in line with retirement norms
  • Exception made for Zhang Youxia, who stays on despite being well past 68 and is set to become first vice-chair of Central Military Commission

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Then newly elected vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission, Xu Qiliang (foreground) and Zhang Youxia (third left) with CMC members (from left) Zhang Shengmin, Li Zuocheng, Wei Fenghe and Miao Hua swear an oath on the constitution at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in March 2018. Photo: EPA-EFE
Jack LauandCyril Ip
General Zhang Youxia, who has combat experience but is well past the unofficial retirement age in China’s Communist Party, is set to become the first vice-chairman of the country’s top military decision-making body, the list of new Central Committee members indicates.
While the 205 members of the committee were formally voted in by about 2,000 delegates from across China on the last day of the 20th party congress, the line-up is likely to have been decided in advance.
The names missing from the list offer clues on who is likely to step down from the seven-strong Central Military Commission (CMC) on Sunday, given that party norms require CMC members to also sit on the Central Committee.
General Zhang Youxia has a strong advocate of President Xi Jinping’s integration of military and civilian projects. Photo: SCMP
General Zhang Youxia has a strong advocate of President Xi Jinping’s integration of military and civilian projects. Photo: SCMP

The change of guard was largely in line with expectations, going by unwritten party rules requiring top officials to retire by age 68.

Vice-chairman General Xu Qiliang, Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe and Joint Staff Department chief General Li Zuocheng have all reached 68 and are absent from the list of new Central Committee members.

Only General Miao Hua, chief of the CMC’s Political Work Department, and General Zhang Shengmin, head of military discipline, are still on the list. Both are under 68.

However, an exception has been made for Zhang Youxia, who turned 72 in July but still retains his seat in the Central Committee. Zhang is currently the second vice-chairman of the CMC, which is headed by President Xi Jinping and oversees the 2-million-strong People’s Liberation Army.

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