New Chinese Military General To Head Troops Along India-China Border Amid Ladakh Standoff

Observers say Gen Xu Qiling's promotion has also sparked speculation over the fate of his predecessor General Zhang Xudong.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's move promoting Xu Qiling to the rank of General to head the PLA's Western Theatre Command overseeing the Indian border makes him the third commander to head the force after standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh began in May last year. Observers say Gen Xu's promotion has also sparked speculation over the fate of his predecessor General Zhang Xudong. Xi, who is also Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) - the overall high command of the People's Liberation Army, promoted 59-year-old Xu to the rank of General - the highest rank for officers in active service in China, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Monday. The promoted officers are Commander of the PLA Southern Theater Command Wang Xiubin, Commander of the PLA Western Theater Command Xu Qiling, Commander of the PLA Army Liu Zhenli and Commander of the PLA Strategic Support Force Ju Qiansheng.