China’s new military leadership team looks set to strike a fine balance between allies of the outgoing Communist party chief Hu Jintao and his expected successor Xi Jinping.
The Ministry of Defence announced the second wave of top brass promotions in three days, appointing four more generals on Thursday to positions which guarantee them seats on the country’s top military leadership body.
The reshuffle, which is now almost complete, makes the generational transition in the military more transparent than expected. The final line-up is not due until after the close of the Communist party’s 18th congress, which will also appoint a new civilian leadership, in mid-November.