The establishment of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command on February 1, 2016 marked a milestone in the security situation in the Taiwan Strait. The command succeeded the Nanjing Military Region as the principle organization responsible for political-military coercion and use of force against Taiwan. The Eastern Theater Command’s geographic scope covers the provinces of Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Fuzhou, and Jiangxi, as well as Shanghai City. For an outstanding overview of the broader PLA reorganization, see Ken Allen, Dennis Blasko, and John Corbett's two-part article published in February 2016 by the Jamestown Foundation. Under authority of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the Eastern Theater's Party Committee probably functions as the command’s senior-most policy-making body. The political commissar presumably serves as party secretary. The commander is deputy secretary. Party Committee members include three standing deputy commanders, at least one standing deputy political commissar (the secretary of the command's Discipline Inspection Commission has yet to be identified), Army, Navy and Air Force component commanders (dual hatted as Eastern Theater Command deputy commanders), and directors of the Logistical Support and Equipment Departments (two of four standing deputy commanders also function as directors of the Joint Staff and Political Work Departments). Below are brief biographical summaries of senior Eastern Theater Command personalities (eg., theater and deputy theater grade officers).
Eastern Theater Command General Headquarters
东部战区
Nanjing
General (GEN) Liu Yuejun (刘粤军; b. 1954) was assigned as commander of the PLA Eastern Theater Command in February 2016. He previously commanded the Lanzhou Military Region (LMR; 2012-2015), served as LMR chief of staff (2007-2012), commanded the 42nd Group Army (2002-2007), and was the first commander of the Macao Garrison (1999-2002). Liu Yuejun spent much of his early career with the 41st Group Army’s 123rd Infantry Division and allegedly commanded a company during the Vietnamese border conflict. He was promoted to lieutentant general (LTG) in 2008 and GEN in 2015, and is a full member of the 18th Central Committee. His father reportedly is Liu Yide (刘义德), who was involved in political work with the 41st Group Army.
GEN Zheng Weiping (郑卫平; b. 1955) was assigned as political commissar of the Eastern Theater Command in February 2016. He previously served as political commissar of the Nanjing Military Region (NMR; 2012-01/2016), directed the Guangzhou Military Region Political Department (2007-2012) and served as political commissar of the 41st Group Army (2005-2007). Earlier in his career, he served in various National Defense University positions and was a mishu within the General Political Department (GPD) General Office, likely supporting former GPD director, Li Jinai (李继耐; b. 1942). Zheng Weiping was promoted to GEN in 2015, and is a member of the 18th Central Committee.
LTG Yang Hui (杨晖; b. 1963) was assigned as deputy commander of the Eastern Theater Command in February 2016. He is dual hatted as chief of staff, directing the command's Joint Staff Department. He previously served as NMR chief of staff (2011-2016) and directed the GSD Intelligence Department (2PLA; 2007-2011). He also served as deputy commander of the 31st Group Army (2006-2007), maintained a brief affiliation with the China Institute of International Strategic Studies (2005-2006), and served as deputy director of the GSD Technical Reconnaissance Department (3PLA; 2001-2005). He was promoted to major general (MG) in 2007 and LTG in 2013, and is an alternate member of the 18th Central Committee.
LTG Wang Ping (王平; b. 1955) was assigned as deputy political commissar of the Eastern Theater Command in February 2016. He is dual hatted as director of the command’s Political Department. He previously served as deputy political commissar of the Nanjing Military Region (2012-2015) and political commissar of the 1st Group Army (2006-2012). With roots within the Shenyang Military Region, Wang Ping also directed the 16th Group Army Political Department, and subsequently served as its deputy political commissar (2002-2006). He was assigned to the 39th Group Army earlier in his career. He was promoted to LTG in 2014.
Rear Admiral (RADM) Gu Xiangbing (顾祥兵; b. 1959) was assigned as deputy commander of the Eastern Theater Command in February 2016. He previously served as deputy commander of the East Sea Fleet (07/2011-02/2016), commandant of the Submarine Academy (2009-2011), deputy chief of staff of the North Sea Fleet, and commander of a UI submarine unit. He was promoted to RADM in 2010.
LTG Sun Herong (孙和荣; b. 1957) was assigned as deputy commander of the Eastern Theater Command in February 2016. He previously commanded the Jinan Military Region Air Force (JMRAF; 2012-2015); served as deputy commander and chief of staff of the JMRAF (2011-2012); deputy chief of staff of the Nanjing Military Region Air Force (NMRAF); and deputy chief of staff of the Shenyang Military Region Air Force.
GEN Zheng Weiping (郑卫平; b. 1955) was assigned as political commissar of the Eastern Theater Command in February 2016. He previously served as political commissar of the Nanjing Military Region (NMR; 2012-01/2016), directed the Guangzhou Military Region Political Department (2007-2012) and served as political commissar of the 41st Group Army (2005-2007). Earlier in his career, he served in various National Defense University positions and was a mishu within the General Political Department (GPD) General Office, likely supporting former GPD director, Li Jinai (李继耐; b. 1942). Zheng Weiping was promoted to GEN in 2015, and is a member of the 18th Central Committee.
LTG Yang Hui (杨晖; b. 1963) was assigned as deputy commander of the Eastern Theater Command in February 2016. He is dual hatted as chief of staff, directing the command's Joint Staff Department. He previously served as NMR chief of staff (2011-2016) and directed the GSD Intelligence Department (2PLA; 2007-2011). He also served as deputy commander of the 31st Group Army (2006-2007), maintained a brief affiliation with the China Institute of International Strategic Studies (2005-2006), and served as deputy director of the GSD Technical Reconnaissance Department (3PLA; 2001-2005). He was promoted to major general (MG) in 2007 and LTG in 2013, and is an alternate member of the 18th Central Committee.
LTG Wang Ping (王平; b. 1955) was assigned as deputy political commissar of the Eastern Theater Command in February 2016. He is dual hatted as director of the command’s Political Department. He previously served as deputy political commissar of the Nanjing Military Region (2012-2015) and political commissar of the 1st Group Army (2006-2012). With roots within the Shenyang Military Region, Wang Ping also directed the 16th Group Army Political Department, and subsequently served as its deputy political commissar (2002-2006). He was assigned to the 39th Group Army earlier in his career. He was promoted to LTG in 2014.
Rear Admiral (RADM) Gu Xiangbing (顾祥兵; b. 1959) was assigned as deputy commander of the Eastern Theater Command in February 2016. He previously served as deputy commander of the East Sea Fleet (07/2011-02/2016), commandant of the Submarine Academy (2009-2011), deputy chief of staff of the North Sea Fleet, and commander of a UI submarine unit. He was promoted to RADM in 2010.
LTG Sun Herong (孙和荣; b. 1957) was assigned as deputy commander of the Eastern Theater Command in February 2016. He previously commanded the Jinan Military Region Air Force (JMRAF; 2012-2015); served as deputy commander and chief of staff of the JMRAF (2011-2012); deputy chief of staff of the Nanjing Military Region Air Force (NMRAF); and deputy chief of staff of the Shenyang Military Region Air Force.
Eastern Theater Command Army
东部战区陆军
Fuzhou
LTG Qin Weijiang (秦卫江; b. 1955) was assigned as commander of the Eastern Theater Command Army in February 2016. He is dual hatted as deputy commander of the Eastern Theater Command. He previously served as deputy commander of the Nanjing Military Region (12/2010-01/2016), commanded the 27th Group Army (2006-2010), served as deputy chief of staff of the Beijing Military Region (BMR; 2005-2006), deputy commander of the 65th Group Army, and commanded of the Shanxi Military District. He is reportedly the son of former Minister of Defense Qin Jiwei (秦基伟; 1914-1997). Qin Weijiang was promoted to MG in 2000 and LTG in 2012.
MG Liao Keduo (廖可铎; b. 1958) was assigned as political commissar of the Eastern Theater Command Army in February 2016. He previously served as political commissar of the Tianjin Garrison (2015-2016), deputy director of the BMR Political Department (2010-2012), and director of the 38th Group Army Political Department (2006-2010). Most of his earlier career was spent within the BMR Political Department. He was promoted to MG in 2008.
MG Liao Keduo (廖可铎; b. 1958) was assigned as political commissar of the Eastern Theater Command Army in February 2016. He previously served as political commissar of the Tianjin Garrison (2015-2016), deputy director of the BMR Political Department (2010-2012), and director of the 38th Group Army Political Department (2006-2010). Most of his earlier career was spent within the BMR Political Department. He was promoted to MG in 2008.
Eastern Theater Command Navy (East Sea Fleet)
东部战区海军 / 海军东海舰队
Ningbo
Vice Admiral (VADM) Su Zhiqian (苏支前; b. 1955) was assigned as commander of the Eastern Theater Command Navy in February 2016. He is dual hatted as deputy commander of the Eastern Theater Command. He previously commanded the East Sea Fleet (2011-01/2016), commanded the South Sea Fleet (2008-2011), and served as South Sea Fleet deputy chief of staff, chief of staff, and deputy commander (2000-2008). He was promoted to VADM in 2010.
VADM Wang Huayong (王华勇; b. 1955) was assigned as political commissar of the Eastern Theater Command Navy in February 2016. He is dual hatted as deputy political commissar of the Eastern Theater Command. He previously served as political commissar of the East Sea Fleet, directed the South Sea Fleet Political Department, and served as political commissar of the Yulin Support Base. He was promoted to VADM in 2014.
Eastern Theater Command Air Force
东部战区空军
Nanjing
LTG Huang Guoxin (黄国显; b. 1962) was assigned as commander of the Eastern Theater Command Air Force in February 2016. He is dual hatted as deputy commander of the Eastern Command. He previously commanded the Nanjing Military Region Air Force (NMRAF; 2013-2015), served as NMRAF chief of staff (2011-2013), and commanded the Fuzhou Air Command Post (2005-2011) and Kunming Air Command Post (2004-2005). He was promoted to MG in 2009 and LTG in 2014.
MG Liu Dewei (刘德伟; b. 1959) was assigned as political commissar of the Eastern Theater Command Air Force in February 2016. He previously served as NMRAF political commissar (07/2015-01/2016) and as deputy director of the PLAAF Political Department (2013-2015). He was promoted to MG in 2010.
