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Key Findings:

VADM Li Hanjun was a fast-rising star, terminated before he could make his full contribution and career achievements:

• VADM Li’s senior roles, including at the Dalian Naval Academy and as Commandant of the Naval Command College, suggest he was well known and respected across the fleet.

• Li has influenced a generation of current PLAN operational leaders. His relentless advocacy of high-intensity training in both service-specific and joint roles suggest he had outsized influence in shaping the trajectory of current PLAN training.

• The reasons for Vice Admiral Li’s removal remain opaque, but likely related to the downfall of Admiral Miao Hua, who would have been involved in Li’s selection and promotions through the flag ranks.

• VADM Li Hanjun’s defenestration comes just months after another leader with tremendous operational experience—VADM Li Pengcheng—was similarly removed as Deputy Commander of the Southern Theater Command, but their respective purges do not appear to have slowed the pace and scope of PLAN training around Taiwan, in the South China Sea, or in the Western Pacific.

• The removal of VADM Li Hanjun would suggest that Xi believes he can burn through a tremendous amount of talent to make the PLA into the force he envisions. If Xi continues to feel he can afford this price, then we must seriously consider the possibility that a degree of military leadership churn is “priced in” to his approach to building the world class forces he seeks.

Publisher

China Maritime Studies Institute, U.S Naval War College

City

Newport, Rhode Island

Keywords

China, China Maritime Studies Institute, CMSI, People’s Liberation Army, People’s Liberation Army Navy, PLAN, Li Hanjun, PLAN Chief of Staff, VADM Li Hanjun

CMSI Note 15: PLAN Chief of Staff VADM Li Hanjun: Fast-Rising Star of Training and Education Extinguished

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