China’s leader has promoted two PLA commanders who oversee the Taiwan Strait and the city of Beijing, suggesting that the dust has begun to settle following a massive purge in the military over corruption concerns.
The move formally confirms Yang as head of the Eastern Theatre Command. Yang previously served as a lieutenant general in the PLA Air Force. A PLA theatre commander typically holds the rank of general, the highest active-duty rank in China.
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He succeeds Lin Xiangyang, whose expulsion from the Communist Party over serious violations of discipline and law was announced in October.
Headquartered in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, the Eastern Theatre is seen as the PLA’s most strategically sensitive command, as its primary focus is the Taiwan Strait and the East China Sea.
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Yang’s promotion is regarded as marking the end of a major leadership reshuffle at the PLA after Xi’s massive military purge triggered speculation over whether the personnel changes might affect combat readiness.
