Article Posted on : - Oct 24, 2012

BEIJING (PTI): China reshuffled its top military brass on Tuesday ahead of the key Communist Party Congress next month that will see once-in-a-decade generational leadership change.

General Ma Xiaotian, 63, the Deputy Chief of the 2.3 million People's Liberation Army (PLA) was named air force commander, replacing General Xu Qiliang, 50.

Xu is expected to take up a far bigger role in the Central Military Commission which controls the defence forces.

Ma regarded as the key figure in the military visited India to take part in the strategic defence dialogue.

Wang Guanzhong, previously head of the Central Military Commission's general office was appointed Deputy Chief of PLA.

Zhu Fuxi was appointed as military chief in the south-western Chengdu military zone, which includes most of Tibet.

The appointments were announced ahead of the 18th Communist Party Congress to be held on November 8 that will see once-in-a-decade change in leadership.

As per the Constitution, PLA is part of the ruling Communist Party. Top party leaders brushed aside recent debate to de-link the military from the party like in other countries.

The military is governed by the Military Commission which is headed by Hu Jintao, the General Secretary of the party who is also the President of China. Hu would be stepping down this year as the Chairman of the Military Commission.

Vice President, Xi Jinping, widely expected to succeed Hu is the Deputy Chief of the Military Commission.