China promotes two officers to general after anti-corruption removals

China's military promoted two officers to the rank of general on Friday in a ceremony that officials described as a possible step toward filling vacancies created by earlier removals. The promotions come after several senior leaders were removed in an ongoing anti-corruption drive that has thinned the upper ranks.

new assignments The head of the armed forces presented orders promoting Zhang Shuguang and air force commander Wang Gang during the Friday event. Zhang was also named head of the division investigating corruption at the Central Military Commission, the military's top body.

timeline The seven-member commission has been reduced to two active members by the corruption investigations. Its only other active member is Vice Chair Zhang Shengmin. A new commission is expected to be announced in the fall of next year when the current five-year term ends.

the promotions The shake-up is viewed by officials as part of an effort to ensure the military's loyalty to the ruling Communist Party. Two other air force officers were promoted to general in December, narrowing the field of candidates for the remaining commission seats.

“Wang Gang is part of a new generation of PLA Air Force elites with hard operational experience who have been delegated important roles in the Chinese military since the latest round of purges." — James Char, assistant professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. Only four lieutenant generals have been elevated to general so far, indicating that further leadership changes are not expected immediately.”