China’s new PLA theatre chiefs identified as anti-corruption drive clears ranks

Beijing has hinted at the new leadership line-up in its military theatre commands, with fresh faces emerging during last week’s party conclave in the seating area reserved for key commanders, filling vacancies left by China’s anti-corruption drive.The expulsions were the latest consequences of an unprecedented anti-corruption storm that has swept through the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), triggering far-reaching personnel changes across its senior ranks.Former PLA generals expelled from China’s Communist Party for factionalism and disloyaltyAmong the latest generals expelled from the party were three former theatre command leaders responsible for directing military operations in their respective strategic regions: Liu Qingsong, former political commissar of the Eastern Theatre Command; Huang Ming, former commander of the Northern Theatre Command; and Wang Haijiang, former commander of the Western Theatre Command.