Xi appoints new military anti-graft chief

Chinese leader promotes two generals

BEIJING:

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday promoted two senior military officers to the rank of general and appointed one of them to lead the armed forces' top anti-corruption body, as he continued efforts to rebuild the country's military leadership following a sweeping anti-graft purge.

At a ceremony in Beijing, Xi elevated Zhang Shuguang, a veteran People's Liberation Army (PLA) anti-corruption official, and Wang Gang, commander of the PLA Air Force, to the highest active-duty military rank, according to state media.

Zhang was simultaneously named head of the Central Military Commission's (CMC) Discipline Inspection Commission, replacing Zhang Shengmin as the military's chief anti-graft watchdog. Zhang Shengmin had led the commission since 2017 and retained the role even after becoming a CMC vice chairman in 2025.

The appointments come as Xi continues a years-long campaign against corruption within the military, during which scores of senior officers and top generals have been investigated, dismissed or purged. In May, two former defence ministers received suspended death sentences on corruption charges.

Neil Thomas, a fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York, said Xi appeared to believe tighter political control would strengthen the PLA's effectiveness and enhance its ability to project power over Taiwan and in the South China Sea.