BEIJING, Nov 1 —  Zhang Shengmin, the last general remaining in the highest echelon of China’s military, has received an unexpected promotion to the Politburo, the rarefied group of about 20 Communist Party officials who run the country.

It is a significant milestone for the 68-year-old, who has risen from his modest upbringing to become a quiet architect of President Xi Jinping’s decade-long anti-corruption campaign.

Zhang joined the People’s Liberation Army aged 19, in 1978 — a time when China was beginning to move past the chaos of the Cultural Revolution and open itself to the world.

His surprise elevation on Thursday, after a major party meeting, has drawn attention to the loyal Xi supporter whose image often appears in the news but whose voice is rarely heard.

Zhang is vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the body that directs the armed forces and is headed by Xi himself.

From 2017 until July this year, Zhang headed the CMC’s Discipline Inspection Commission, which leads anti-corruption work inside the military.

Under his authority, an unprecedented number of high-ranking officers have been removed from their posts, leaving just two members of the seven-strong commission remaining: Zhang and Xi.

 ‘Hatchet man’ 

China’s armed forces have faced a range of corruption scandals over promotions, equipment contracts and budgets, problems that hinder its operations and modernisation, according to Xi.

Since Xi began his third term in 2023, some of the most prominent ousters have included former defence ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, as well as Zhang Youxia, formerly China’s most powerful general, who fell from grace this year.

As Xi’s “hatchet man” in the forces, Zhang Shengmin’s “track record is clear for all to see in view of how the Chinese military at present is only left with a handful of 3-star generals”, said James Char, an expert on the Chinese military at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University.

“He has spent almost a whole decade in charge of cleaning up the Chinese military… (and) likely Zhang has his commander-in-chief’s trust,” Char added.

The timing of the promotion is also unusual: Politburo appointments typically happen at party congresses held once every five years, while the last mid-term promotion was in 1994.

Loyalty above all 

Like most Chinese officials, the grey-haired, stern-faced Zhang Shengmin keeps a low profile, and little is known about his personal life.

He was trained as an artillery officer, but his official biography does not mention courses of study, professional experience or time abroad. His personal interests are also not publicly known.

“The thing that marks him out is political loyalty to the party (centre)… rather than military professionalism,” said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute at the University of London, referring to Xi.

Zhang is careful to remain firmly in his boss’ shadow.

At a military gala held for the Lunar New Year festival this year, Zhang could be seen standing several metres (feet) behind Xi as the president shook hands with retired officers.

“Zhang is also cautious about being perceived as being in the limelight,” Char told AFP.

“Since the removals of his CMC colleagues… Zhang has been intentionally unobtrusive at official events with his CMC chairman.” — AFP