ISTANBUL

Chinese President Xi Jinping has promoted two military officials from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to the rank of general, the highest rank for officers in active service in China, state media reported.

Xi approved the promotions of Yang Zhibin, commander of the PLA Eastern Theater Command, and Han Shengyan, commander of the PLA Central Theater Command, according to state-run Xinhua News.

The promotions were announced by Zhang Youxia, vice chair of the Central Military Commission, during a ceremony in Beijing. The orders were signed by Xi, who also serves as chair.

The promotions come amid an anti-corruption purge within China’s military. In October, Beijing announced the expulsion of two members of the powerful Central Military Commission as part of disciplinary action taken against nine officers over corruption-related offenses.

The graft purge has left the commission, which oversees the Chinese military, with only four members, including its leader Xi, down from the customary structure of six ordinary members in addition to the chair.