China's Xi Jinping reshuffled the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, which oversees nuclear and missile programs critical to the goal of taking over Taiwan.
An unexpected leadership reshuffle at the top levels of China’s military this week marks what analysts say is the biggest purge in years, as Chinese leader Xi Jinping oversees a sweeping campaign to cement loyalty and assert more control over the People’s Liberation Army.
“This has brought to the fore the fact that Xi has problems within both the diplomatic and military systems,” said Lin Ying-Yu, assistant professor of international affairs at Tamkang University in New Taipei City. “This shows that Xi may be encountering more difficulties when it comes to control internally.”Xi appointed Wang Houbin, the former deputy commander of the navy, as the new head of the PLA Rocket Force, replacing Li Yuchao, who had been commander since January last year.
by the Financial Times this week, citing two foreign senior government officials, said the Rocket Force leaders were being investigated for leaking military secrets.“Xi’s decision to purge the leadership of the PLA Rocket Force shows he remains in control of the military, but his decade-long campaign against corruption has failed to eliminate graft among high-ranking officers,” said Neil Thomas, a fellow for Chinese politics at the Asia Society.
before being formally charged. Each man held important positions in the Chinese military for years before being investigated.The appointments of new commanders from other parts of the military represent a sharp departure from tradition. Wang and Xu have naval and air force backgrounds, while Li and his predecessors were from within the missile force.
If war should break out, the rocket force’s long-range conventional missiles could target U.S. bases and aircraft carriers in the western Pacific, while its short-range ballistic missiles could target Taiwan.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Xi Jinping names new generals to oversee China’s nuclear arsenalChina's ruling Communist Party has appointed new leadership for the defense body that controls the country's fast-growing nuclear arsenal, in the biggest shake-up of Beijing's military leadership in years.
Read more »
Letter: If people are the problem, not guns, why allow people to have guns?My wife died recently, suddenly and unexpectedly, and my pain at times seems unbearable. When someone is in such pain, it is easy to understand why reaching for a gun to end the pain could be seen as a quick and acceptable way out. According to the CDC, 54% of gun deaths in the U.S. are suicides. But such pain is sometimes directed outwardly by killing of friends, family or some kind of mass shooting.
Read more »
People Are Sharing The Foods They Swear People Only Pretend To LikeWe need to have an honest discussion about circus peanuts.
Read more »
People who believe LGBTQ people are immoral have lost sway in our culture -- thankfully | PennLive lettersI strongly defend Shine’s right to be wrong, He just seems clueless by crying foul when challenged in his public assertion that LGBTQ+ people are immoral.
Read more »
Meet sun bears: Internet skeptics believe China zoo animals are just people in costumesA zoo in eastern China has denied suggestions that some of its bears were people dressed in costume after videos of a Malayan sun bear standing on its hind legs.
Read more »
Internet skeptics believe China zoo animals are just people in costumesA zoo in eastern China has denied suggestions that some of its bears were people dressed in costume after videos of a Malayan sun bear standing on its hind legs.
Read more »