The PLA Aggressors: China’s eight top commanders who led Ladakh adventure

An Arabic talking General with over 20 years of implementing the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) diktat in Tibet, 4 Lieutenant Generals and three divisions commanders are presently overseeing the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) aggression on the 1597-km lengthy Line of Actual Control bisecting Ladakh in India and occupied Aksai Chin in China.

With each the Indian Army and PLA locked in a stalemate after the latter’s reluctance to maneuver its troops, the India-China navy stand-off could effectively proceed by this winter and past. It is led by the navy architect of 2017 Doklam face-off which lasted 73 days, the 65-year-old Gen Zhao Zongqi, who isn’t any stranger to navy stand-offs.

The Hindustan Times has put collectively particulars of Chinese navy commanders concerned within the on-going Ladakh stand-off. Many are CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping’s males.

1. General Zhao Zhongqi, Western Theatre Commander

An knowledgeable in specialised reconnaissance, Gen Zhao, 65, was appointed the Western Theatre Commander of PLA on February 1, 2016. Born in Bin county, Heilongiang province, he was assigned to 118 regiment of Chengdu primarily based 14 group military (now disbanded) in 1970. He was a part of the reconnaissance unit throughout the Vietnam-China warfare in 1979 and performed particular operations and high-value reconnaissance missions for the PLA. Gen Zhao served as a navy advisor to Tanzania in 1988 earlier than changing into 52 Mountain Brigade Commander in Tibet Military District. He has had a succession of excessive profile postings together with as head of intelligence division of 14 Group Army earlier than taking on as its commander in 2004. Gen Zhao commanded the 13th group Army in Kunming within the Chengdu navy area earlier than changing into the Chief of Staff of the Jinan Military area that covers Shandong and Henan provinces. Promoted to Lt General in 2009, Zhao turns into the commander of Jinan Military district in 2015 after which Western Theatre Commander with a rank of full basic in 2016. Even although theatre commanders of PLA retire on the age of 65, Gen Zhao, who crossed that mark in April, adopted up by transgressing throughout the LAC.

2. Lt General Xu Qiling, Commander PLA Ground Force, Western Theatre Command

The 57-year-old Henan-born basic is accountable for deploying tanks and large artillery weapons within the occupied Aksai Chin space. The PLA floor pressure is accountable for not solely the artillery parts but in addition air defence batteries together with anti-aircraft weapons and floor to air missiles in addition to long-range missiles. Xu was commander of the Henan primarily based 83 Group Army earlier than taking on as Commander of 79 Group Army in Shenyang, Liaoning in Northern Theatre Command in 2017. He was commander of PLA floor pressure, japanese theatre commander in 2018 and was promoted to be the deputy commander of your complete japanese theatre. He brings firepower and logistics to the present stand-off.

3. Lt Gen Wang Qiang, Commander PLA Air Force Western Theatre Command.

Wang is accountable for offering air assist to the PLA with 4 fighter divisions, one transport division and one bomber division. He has held a string of high-profile command assignments beginning with Commander of Air Force Aviation Division of Jinan Military District. He has served in varied positions within the Western Theatre Command since 2016 together with Deputy Chief of Staff, Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of Air Force. He was appointed as Commander of PLA Air pressure in Western Theatre in December 2019.

4. Lt Gen Haijiang Wang, Commander, Tibet Military District

Haijiang, 57, was named the boss of the highly-sensitive Tibet navy district since December 10. 2019. He joined the military in 1977 and was awarded First Class Merit in Vietnam-China warfare through which China was on the shedding finish. He has held a string of positions together with Deputy Commander South Xinjiang Military District, which is accountable for the defence of occupied Aksai Chin. He was deputy commander of Tibet navy district in 2016 earlier than taking on as commander after being promoted to Lt Gen. He has revealed a number of papers on the bodily and tactical facets of coaching in mountainous areas, and the significance of defence buildings n Tibet. He is an knowledgeable in patrolling and reconnaissance missions.

Also learn: Army chief asks commanders to maintain guard up in japanese, central sectors

5. Lt Gen Liu Wanglong, Commander, Xinjiang Military District

The head of the Uighur Muslim dominated and sometimes restive Xinjiang province, the 58-year-old basic has served on this space since 2008. He was commander of Gansu Military District in 2016 and turn out to be the Xinjiang Commander in 2017. He was promoted to Lt General in July 2018. Liu’s navy evaluation will probably be essential to Theatre Commander Zhao Zongqi.

6. Major General Liu Lin, Commander, South Xinjiang Military District

Major General Liu, 57, is a recognized in India because the principal Chinese interlocutor with XIV Corps Commander Lt Gen Harinder Singh and concerned in not solely disengagement but in addition de-escalation talks by marathon conferences at Moldo and Chushul. An artilleryman, Gen Liu participated in Zurihe navy parade in 2017 as chief of the self-propelled artillery crew. He was commander of 8 Xinjiang Military division earlier than being promoted to main basic in 2015 and Deputy Commander of the current formation. It is his troops which can be locked in a stand-off which the Indian Army at Kugrang River, Gogra and Pangong Tso. He took over command of the Military District in 2019 after serving as its Chief of Staff.

7. Major General Liu Geping, Commander Qinghai Military District

Major General Liu was appointed to this put up in April 2020 after being promoted in July 2017. He has served in Ngari navy sub-district dealing with Demchok in Ladakh sector. He was commander of the navy division of manufacturing and development corps in 2017.

Also learn: China arrests citizen for claiming Chinese troopers died in conflict with India due to corruption

8. Major General Qu Xinyong, Commander, Sichuan Military District

He was appointed to this put up on April 21. Born in Shandong, the 59-year-old commander was head of 31 infantry division in 2013. He turned the deputy commander of Yunan navy district in 2014 and was commander of Qinghai navy district in 2017.