Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his capacity as the military’s commander-in-chief, has appointed a new head of the armed forces responsible for overseeing China’s conventional and nuclear missiles. This move comes one day before the 96th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Wang Houbin, the former deputy commander of the navy, has been named the new head of the PLA Rocket Force, while Xu Xisheng has been appointed as its new political commissar. Both men have been promoted to the rank of general, as reported by state media.
New Appointments
Wang Houbin, previously the deputy commander of the navy since 2020, now takes charge of the PLA Rocket Force. Before that, he served as the deputy chief of staff at the Navy. Xu Xisheng, formerly the deputy political commissar of the Southern Theatre Command, one of the PLA’s five theatre commands, assumes the position of political commissar for the Rocket Force.
Previous Leadership
State media did not disclose the whereabouts or reassignment of the PLA Rocket Force’s previous chief, Li Yuchao.
PLA Anniversary
The appointments were made just ahead of the 96th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army, celebrated on August 1.
China’s Nuclear Strategy
China maintains that its nuclear strategy is strictly defensive, and it pledges not to use nuclear weapons first or against non-nuclear weapon states or nuclear weapon-free zones.
The appointment of new leadership for the PLA Rocket Force, responsible for China’s nuclear arsenal, underscores the nation’s commitment to its military capabilities and strategic defense. President Xi’s focus on combat planning and safeguarding China’s sovereignty and territory remains a central theme in the nation’s military strategy.
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