The Chinese government on Monday (July 31) replaced the leadership of its Rocket Force, the army unit that oversees its nuclear arsenal, reportedly over corruption.

The Chinese government on Monday (July 31) replaced the leadership of its Rocket Force, the army unit that oversees its nuclear arsenal, reportedly over corruption. According to a report by the Xinhua news agency, The navy's former deputy commander Wang Houbin was named as the new commander of the force. Xu Xisheng, an air force officer and party central committee member, was named the Rocket Force’s new political commissar. The new appointments come as former commander of forcer General Li Yuchao and his deputy General Liu Guangbin disappeared from public view months back. Li, Liu and many other current and former deputies of the former commander were being investigated by the Central Military Commission’s anti-corruption unit. The government has not made any announcements regarding the whereabouts of Li and Liu. However, foreign officials briefed on intelligence over the matter said that the two top generals were being probed for allegedly leaking military secrets, according to a report by the Financial Times. Biggest change among military leaders in over a decade Monday's appointment is the biggest irregular change among military leaders in China since Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong, former deputy chairs of the Central Military Commission, were ousted more than a decade ago and prosecuted on corruption charges in 2014, the Financial Times report said. Last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for increasing oversight of the military and the construction of a "modern system for military governance" in remarks to top leaders. Following this, the military department responsible for buying weapons launched a crackdown on corrupt procurement practices dating back years. What is the Rocket Force? The Rocket Force is a relatively new unit of the People's Liberation Army. As per the government, the force oversees China's arsenal of strategic missiles, both conventional and nuclear, and can both deter and strike. Its creation was announced in January 2016 after a major reshuffle of the country's military structure. In March, a US intelligence report said that the force's conventional missile capabilities "probably" pose a serious threat to US forces and bases in East Asia. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China replaces leadership of its Rocket Force, which overseas nukes, over 'corruption'

According to the US Department of Defence(DOD), China numerically is the "largest navy in the world".

The US department in its recent report has said China's Navy possesses "approximately 355 ships and submarines, including more than 145 major surface combatants."

The Chinese Navy can also has the ability to conduct "long-range precision strikes" in the near term even as it enhances "anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-chinas-greyzone-warfare-is-designed-to-subdue-the-enemy-427343">Read in Pics:&nbsp;How China's 'greyzone warfare' is designed to subdue the enemy</a>

The DOD report further states that the Chinese Air Force (PLAAF) and the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) together "constitute the largest aviation force in the region and the third-largest in the world".

The two forces together have 2,800 aircraft of which&nbsp;2,250 are combat aircraft which includes fighters, strategic bombers, tactical bombers, multi-mission tactical&nbsp;and attack aircraft.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/chinas-air-force-decoded-how-plaaf-is-evolving-its-tactical-strategy-425500">Also Read:&nbsp;China's Air Force decoded: How PLAAF is evolving its tactical strategy</a>

The report said China's rocket force continues to grow its inventory of road-mobile DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) and is capable of conducting "conventional and nuclear precision strikes".

On China's nuclear capability, the report says the country's military has been expanding its "land, sea, and air-based nuclear delivery platforms" and has also engaged in biological activities.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/battlezone-taiwans-kinmen-island-stands-on-frontline-with-china-424147">Also Read | Battlezone: Taiwan's Kinmen island stands on frontline with China</a>

China's military has also been pursuing overseas interest with military facilities to support naval, air and ground capabilities and is considering Cambodia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, UAE, &nbsp;Seychelles and other locations.

The report notes that despite "border clashes with India, and other significant events" last year, the Chinese army has "accelerated its training and fielding of equipment from the already fast pace of recent years."

On the military front, China intends to become a "global innovation superpower" and is seeking f leadership in key technologies for example Artificial Intelligence, autonomous systems, advanced computing and quantum information sciences.

(With inputs from Agencies)

According to the US Department of Defence(DOD), China numerically is the "largest navy in the world". The US department in its recent report has said China's Navy possesses "approximately 355 ships and submarines, including more than 145 major surface combatants.

According to the US Department of Defence(DOD), China numerically is the "largest navy in the world". The US department in its recent report has said China's Navy possesses "approximately 355 ships and submarines, including more than 145 major surface combatants." The Chinese Navy can also has the ability to conduct "long-range precision strikes" in the near term even as it enhances "anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities". Read in Pics: How China's 'greyzone warfare' is designed to subdue the enemy The DOD report further states that the Chinese Air Force (PLAAF) and the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) together "constitute the largest aviation force in the region and the third-largest in the world". The two forces together have 2,800 aircraft of which 2,250 are combat aircraft which includes fighters, strategic bombers, tactical bombers, multi-mission tactical and attack aircraft. Also Read: China's Air Force decoded: How PLAAF is evolving its tactical strategy The report said China's rocket force continues to grow its inventory of road-mobile DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) and is capable of conducting "conventional and nuclear precision strikes". On China's nuclear capability, the report says the country's military has been expanding its "land, sea, and air-based nuclear delivery platforms" and has also engaged in biological activities. Also Read | Battlezone: Taiwan's Kinmen island stands on frontline with China China's military has also been pursuing overseas interest with military facilities to support naval, air and ground capabilities and is considering Cambodia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, UAE, Seychelles and other locations. The report notes that despite "border clashes with India, and other significant events" last year, the Chinese army has "accelerated its training and fielding of equipment from the already fast pace of recent years." On the military front, China intends to become a "global innovation superpower" and is seeking f leadership in key technologies for example Artificial Intelligence, autonomous systems, advanced computing and quantum information sciences. (With inputs from Agencies)

China's navy 'numerically' largest in the world: US report

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China replaces leadership of its Rocket Force, which overseas nukes, over 'corruption'

China's navy 'numerically' largest in the world: US report