China poised to restore military presence to top leadership at party congress

Beijing is expected to gradually restore military representation in its top leadership, analysts say, as the Communist Party seeks to strike a delicate balance in its relations with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) amid an anti-corruption drive that has hit the top ranks.They said the process was expected to be completed at next year’s 21st party congress, which will usher in a new leadership line-up for both the party and military.The party wrapped up its fifth plenum of the 20th Central Committee this week, promoting General Zhang Shengmin to the Politburo. Zhang has been a key player in Beijing’s anti-corruption campaign.