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Who Is Zhao Zongqi & Why Is India Celebrating The Exit Of Chinese PLA Commander?
December 21, 2020
India is rejoicing the exit of Zhao Zongqi – the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Western Theatre Commander chief. General Zhao Zongqi is seen as the man directly responsible for the Chinese army’s aggressive stance at the Ladakh border where the two countries have been locked in a standoff for over seven months now.
Zhao reached the retirement age of 65 earlier this year, but was allowed to continue by President Xi Jinping. He had served the PLA since 1984. A hardliner against India and Bhutan, Zhao is said to be involved in the 2017 Doklam military stand-off in the trijunction of Bhutan, China, and India.
PLA commander who triggered Ladakh incursion sacked by Xi; India cautious
In New Delhi, the change of guard in the leadership of the Western Theatre Command raised hope that the replacement of General Zhao may not be as aggressively anti-Indian as his predecessor
Army s new heated accommodation for bravehearts in forward areas of Ladakh
Chinese President Xi Jinping has sacked General Zhao Zongqi, the People s Liberation Army s (PLA) powerful Western Theatre Commander responsible for the ongoing military standoff with India in eastern Ladakh. General Zhang Xudong has been picked as his replacement, a commander who has never served along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Fresh face at PLA Western Theatre Command, no ground impact expected
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Synopsis
The changeover Lt Gen Zhang Xudong takes over from Zhao Zongqi as the Western Theatre Commander has been described by military analysts as the right timing as no action is expected on the borders through the winter months, giving him adequate time to settle in.
AP
Representative image
NEW DELHI: A new Chinese commander has been appointed to take charge of military formations facing India a region where he has no previous recorded experience but no ground impact is expected as the operations in Ladakh are being directed by the top leadership in Beijing and all other junior commanders remain the same.