Space official takes charge of Chinese military equipment development programme

A senior official from China’s space programme has been promoted to head the country’s military equipment development programme, an official newspaper announced on Monday, suggesting another move by President Xi Jinping to fill senior military positions with trusted associates.

Lieutenant General Li Shangfu, 59, took over the role from General Zhang Youxia, PLA Daily reported. The news came as Li was attending the third China Military and Civilian Integration Export fair in Beijing, at which he used his new title for the first time.

With the start of China’s twice-a-decade party congress now just a month away – at which there will be a major leadership reshuffle – it is likely the personnel change is part of Xi’s goal to surround himself with his own men.

Zhang is currently one of the eight regular members of the Central Military Commission – the body that runs China’s military – under Xi as chairman and two vice-chairmen. While the newspaper report did not say what Zhang’s future might hold, there has been speculation in the foreign media that he could be promoted to a vice-chairman’s role at the upcoming congress.

Zhang is the seventh regular CMC member to step down from a functional military role in recent months, following the heads of the Joint Staff Department, Political Work Department and Logistic Support Department, and the commanders of the air force, navy and rocket force. All seven have been replaced by younger generals though they each retained their positions on the CMC, at least for now.