China promotes 6 officers to general

Chinese President Xi Jinping (C front), also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), poses for a group picture with newly promoted military officers after a promotion ceremony in Beijing, capital of China, July 31, 2013. Xi presented certificates of command to Deputy Chief of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Political Department Wu Changde, Political Commissar of the PLA General Armament Department Wang Hongyao, Political Commissar of the Academy of Military Sciences Sun Sijing, Political Commissar of the Beijing Military Area Command Liu Fulian, Commander of the Nanjing Military Area Command Cai Yingting and Commander of the Guangzhou Military Area Command Xu Fenlin, who are promoted to the rank of general, the highest rank for officers in active service in China. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - The Central Military Commission (CMC) on Wednesday promoted six senior military officers to the rank of general.

The promoted officers include Deputy Chief of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Political Department Wu Changde, Political Commissar of the PLA General Armament Department Wang Hongyao, Political Commissar of the Academy of Military Sciences Sun Sijing, Political Commissar of the Beijing Military Area Command Liu Fulian, Commander of the Nanjing Military Area Command Cai Yingting and Commander of the Guangzhou Military Area Command Xu Fenlin.

At a promotion ceremony on Wednesday, Chinese President and CMC Chairman Xi Jinping presented the officers with certificates of command, shook hands with them and expressed his congratulations.

An order singed by Xi for the promotions was announced by Fan Changlong, CMC vice chairman.

The ceremony was presided over by Xu Qiliang, CMC vice chairman.

General is the highest rank for officers in active service in China.