China appoints new military head

Jiang was said to be impressed with the 1999 military parade

By Willy Wo-Lap Lam
CNN Senior China Analyst

HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- Rejuvenation in China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been speeded up with the appointment of a new commander of the strategic Beijing Military Region.

Chinese military sources said on Wednesday that Lieutenant-general Zhu Qi had replaced General Li Xinliang as head of the region, whose responsibilities include maintaining security of the capital area.

In his mid-50s, General Zhu became chief of staff of the Beijing region in 1998.

General Zhu distinguished himself as a key organizer of the military parade at Tiananmen Square on October 1, 1999, which marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic.

President Jiang Zemin, who inspected the troops on that occasion, was said to be greatly impressed with General Zhu.

The sources said more changes in the leadership of the seven military regions would be made in the run-up to the 16th Chinese Communist Party Congress in the autumn.

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In general, PLA officers who have reached the age of 60 have to step down.

Last month, former commander of the Hong Kong Garrison, Lieutenant-general Liu Zhenwu was appointed commander of the Guangzhou Military Region.

Also in his mid-50s, Liu was commended by President Jiang for his role in Hong Kong soon after the territory reverted to Chinese control in 1997.

The bulk of the new appointees are understood to be protégés of Jiang and the Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission, General Zhang Wannian.

Diplomatic analysts in Beijing said Jiang and his heir apparent, Vice-President Hu Jintao, were anxious to maintain the tradition of the Communist party's "absolute leadership" over the PLA.

The analysts said as a result of rejuvenation, most officers were now graduates of military academies and professionals who were less inclined to intervene in politics.

In the past year, the Jiang leadership has largely been able to prevent the generals from making public statements about controversial subjects such as Taiwan and China's relations with the United States.

However, up to two positions in the new Politburo to be endorsed at the 16th congress are still expected to be reserved for generals.