An Expert Explains: Who is Gen Zhang, China’s new PLA commander at LAC?
Given the ongoing India-China standoff on the LAC, there has been speculation on the significance of the change of guard. Who is Gen Zhang, and what does his appointment mean? Written by Maj Gen (retd) Prof G G Dwivedi | Updated: December 31, 2020 1:28:59 pm
Members of the People s Liberation Army (PLA) march during a flag raising ceremony at an open day at the Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks in Hong Kong, China, on Sunday, June 30, 2019. (Bloomberg Photo: Eduardo Leal)
On December 18, 2020, President Xi Jinping as the Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission (CMC) promoted four officers to the rank of General, including General Zhang Xudong, the new Commander, Western Theatre Command (WTC). Gen Zhang has replaced Gen Zhao Zongqi who superannuated on attaining the retiring age of 65.