Politics Watch: Decoding the Convening of Enlarged Military Meetings
◎ Xi is likely seeking to strengthen his control over the military in a crucial period.
MILITARY
![XiJinping_02-e1507497131856 XiJinping_02-e1507497131856](https://sinoinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/XiJinping_02-e1507497131856.jpg)
Two-thirds of Department Heads in China’s Top Military Body Have Been Replaced
◎ Two-thirds of department heads in the CMC have been replaced in the past 20 months.
![SongPuxuan- SongPuxuan-](https://sinoinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/SongPuxuan-.png)
China’s Military Gets a New Logistics Support Director, and Likely a New Missile Force Commander
◎ Purged military members are often replaced by people who owe their promotions to Xi.
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Xi Now Controls All Armed Services and Two Key Military Departments
◎ Whoever controls the military sets the agenda in the CCP.
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Kim Gets No Well-wishes From China on North Korea Anniversary
◎ We have reason to believe that N. Korea’s nuclear provocations are orchestrated by Xi’s factional rivals who are Kim’s Chinese political backers.
![JiaTingan JiaTingan](https://sinoinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/JiaTingan.jpg)
Jiang Zemin’s Ex-Secretary Not Invited to 19th Congress, Likely Sidelined
◎ Jia Tingan has been left out of the official list of delegates to the upcoming 19th Party Congress.
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North Korea Nuke Test Challenges Xi at Crucial Period
◎ North Korea’s sixth nuclear test on September 3 took place just hours before Xi Jinping addressed leaders of BRICS countries in the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen.
![MiaoHua MiaoHua](https://sinoinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MiaoHua.jpg)
Xi Jinping Suddenly Replaces a Top Military Commissar
◎ The abrupt promotion of Miao by Xi is consistent with changing personnel trends in the Chinese military.
![XiJinping_03 XiJinping_03](https://sinoinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/XiJinping_03.jpg)
Hundreds of Chinese Generals Involved in Military Reshuffle
◎ The Chinese media is finally getting a better sense of the scale of Xi Jinping’s military reform.
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Sino-US Military Agreement Could Tip Factional Struggle
◎ The new Sino-US military agreement could serve several purposes.