Generals Chang Dingqiu and Guo Puxiao, commander and political commissar of the PLA Air Force, were absent from a promotion ceremony led by Xi Jinping on Monday, according to CCTV footage, aimed at filling top vacancies from the ongoing corruption crackdown. Beijing has made no statement on Chang's status, and his Baidu profile has been inaccessible since last week. Chang's last public appearance was in October at the fourth plenary session of the Communist Party's Central Committee.
Footage broadcast by state television CCTV on Monday showed that General Chang Dingqiu, 58, the Air Force commander, and Guo Puxiao, the political commissar, were not present at a ceremony led by Xi Jinping to fill top-level vacancies created by the sweeping anti-corruption crackdown.
Chang has long been seen as a rising star in the military, fast-tracked for promotion. He was among the youngest officers at his rank for many years, including when promoted to Air Force commander in August 2021 at age 54.
Chang's profile on the Chinese search engine Baidu has been inaccessible since last week. Beijing has issued no statement on his status. His last public appearance was in October, during official coverage of the fourth plenary session of the Communist Party's Central Committee, where he attended as a full member of China's top policymaking body.
Chang's absence echoes those of other PLA generals, such as the commanders of the ground forces and navy, who have not appeared in public for months and also missed the October party conclave. The corruption fight continues to reshape military leadership in China.
