Xi Jinping makes unusual move by appointing top party leaders for operational post on committee

by Choi Chi-yuk in South China Morning Post, June 21, 2017
Chinese President Xi Jinping has taken another step towards consolidating power by appointing a member of the top party echelon day to day operation position in a newly formed committee
Xi held the first plenary meeting of the Central Commission for Integrated Military and Civilian Development, a group Xi created in January to foster military and civilian capacity integration, on Tuesday, according to the official Xinhua news agency. Xi is the chairman, and three other Politburo standing committee members – Li Keqiang, Liu Yunshan and Zhang Gaoli – are vice chairmen.
Xi Jinping reviews a military parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Photo: Simon Song
However, Zhang, a vice premier and No.7 on the standing committee, is also the director of the general affairs office for the commission. Zhang’s position represents a departure from past practice since such posts often are taken by a lower ranking individual, usually a state councillor.
It is also unusual for a member of the party’s highest decision-making body to take on a day to day operation position.
According to footage of the meeting broadcast by Chinese state television network CCTV, other members of the commission included six Politburo members: Vice Premier Ma Kai, Xi’s top advisor Wang Huning, top law-enforcement official Meng Jianzhu, Xi’s right-hand man Li Zhanshu and both vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission – Xu Qiliang and Fan Changlong.
The commission’s purpose is to ensure that China’s military needs are met by the nation’s industrial base.
“Integrated military and civilian development is a major achievement of China’s long-term coordinated development of economic and national defence construction,” Xi was quoted by official Xinhua as saying. “It is also a major decision concerning national development and overall security, and a major measure to deal with complicated security threats and gain national strategic advantages.”
This commission is just the latest group created by Xi to cement his grip on power.
Since taking power four and half years ago, Xi already has made himself the most powerful China leader in decades by having control over the party, the state, the military and the economy. In October last year, he took on the title of “core” leader of the Communist Party, placing him among strong men like Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.
A key power reshuffling meeting taking place later this year will decide a new China leadership lineup.
Xi has assumed new roles in recent years, including as head of the Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reforms, the Central National Security Commission, the Central Leading Group for Internet Security and Information, and the Central Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs. http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2099248/xi-jinping-further-consolidates-power-commission