On 5 January 2022, Xi Jinping chaired a promotion ceremony for seven officers as either a commander (CDR) or political commissar (PC). Each new general has the grade of Theater Command (TC) Leader and each previously held a billet at the grade of TC deputy leader. As a TC leader-grade officer, they can remain on active duty until they are 65; however, the PLA has made exceptions and replaced certain personnel before they reached their mandatory retirement age. For example, General Ding Laihang, who became the PLAAF commander in 2017 was replaced in December 2021 at the age of 64.
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