Xi Jinping tightens his grip on power as he appoints a new leader of China's nuclear missile force

Chinese President Xi Jinping has tightened his grip on power after appointing a new leader of the country’s nuclear missile force.

Wang Houbin was named the head of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, an elite unit in charge of the country’s nuclear arsenal. Xu Xisheng has been named its new political commissar, marking the biggest purge of Beijing’s military leadership in a decade.

The duo is replacing Li Yuchao and his deputy Liu Guangbin, who have not been seen for months amid rumours of a corruption inquiry.

Mr Wang has served as deputy commander of the navy since 2020 while Mr Xu was formerly the deputy political commissar of the Southern Theatre Command – a military unit which controls the South China Sea.

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Lyle Morris, from the Asia Society Policy Institute, told the BBC: ‘The latest purge is significant [as] China is undertaking one of the most profound changes in nuclear strategy in decades.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has tightened his grip on power after appointing a new leader of the country’s nuclear missile forc

Wang Houbin (top left) was named the head of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, an elite unit in charge of the country’s nuclear arsenal. Xu Xisheng (top right) has been named its new political commissar

‘Xi has consolidated control of the PLA in unprecedented ways, but that doesn’t mean it’s complete.

‘Xi is still worried about corruption in the ranks and has signalled that absolute loyalty to the [party] has not yet been achieved.’

China has said it is committed to a defensive nuclear strategy, pledging not to fire them first or use them against non-nuclear states.