Zhang Shengmin inducted into Politburo, now China's most powerful figure after Xi Jinping

One name is being talked about in Chinese political circles these days: General Zhang Shengmin. Chinese President Xi Jinping has made Zhang, the deputy commander of the military, a member of the Politburo, the Communist Party's highest policy-making body.

Politburo members are usually chosen at a party congress. The next congress is due in 2027, but Xi did not wait for it and gave Zhang the responsibility directly. With this decision, Zhang has become the most powerful figure in China after Xi.

Zhang is currently the only general in China who holds the rank of vice-chairman and is also a direct member of the Politburo. In the past year, the Chinese military's top generals have faced heavy action, and five of seven generals have been removed from their posts. International analysts are surprised that, in such a delicate and turbulent period, the command of China's military and political machinery has been handed to Zhang.

Zhang was born in February 1958 in Shanxi province. He joined the Chinese army at the age of 20, starting out as an ordinary soldier. His fortunes changed in 2010, when he successfully led a special relief team during a severe earthquake. The work brought him to the notice of senior military officers.

Xi came to power in China in 2013. After that, Zhang received one major responsibility and promotion after another. He came to be counted among Xi's closest and most trusted people. To root out widespread corruption in the Chinese military, Xi made him head of the army's disciplinary committee. He carried out the responsibility with great strictness.

As chairman of the anti-corruption committee, Zhang conducted deep investigations of senior military officers. Seven generals of the army lost their jobs and positions as a result of his action. Zhang Youxia, vice-chairman of the Chinese military, also came into trouble because of his role and lost his job as well. The entire exercise gave Zhang the reputation of a disciplinarian and a tough administrator.

This year he was also elected a member of China's 19th Central Committee. Zhang, now 67, has reached the highest position in the Chinese military. In the structure of the Chinese military, the president is the top chief, followed by the vice-chairman's post. Ordinarily two people hold this post, but for the past six months Zhang has been holding it alone. With a place in the Politburo, his administrative and political weight has now increased manifold.