China gives its PLA army commander on India border a plum political post; planning drones

China has appointed General Zhao Zongqi, a former top People's Liberation Army (PLA) officer who oversaw border with India, as Deputy Chairman of influential Foreign Affairs Committee of National People's Congress (NPC), country's Parliament.

Gen Zhao was replaced by Gen Zhang Xudong

Gen Zhao, 65, heed Western Command during Doklam faceoff in 2017 and Lakh standoff in 2020. As per regulations of PLA, retirement for top generals is 65. An official anuncement by NPC said General Zhao has been appointed as Deputy Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee, an influential body of NPC, news ncy PTI reported.

Besides, Gen Wang Ning, who till recently heed Armed Police Forces, was appointed as Deputy Chairman of NPC Committee on Constitution and Law and Gen Zheng Weiping, former political commissar of Strategic Support Forces as Deputy Chairman of NPC Committee for Education, Science, Culture and Health.

Gen Zhao, who heed Western atre Command during 2017 Doklam standoff where Indian Army stood up against PLA's plan of laying a ro close to Indian border in an area claimed by Bhutan, was replaced by Gen Zhang Xudong in December last year.

Lakh standoff also happened under watch of Gen Zhao. After standoff which began on May 5 last year, Indian and Chinese troops disengd from most contentious area of rth and South Pangong Lake last month, holding talks to diseng from or areas in eastern Lakh.

Gen Zhao Zongqi's appointment comes ahe of annual meeting of NPC beginning from March 5. NPC along with Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), an visory body, will hold ir annual get-toger for a week.

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China may deploy drones on border with India 

Meanwhile, a Chinese legislator who les a regiment in country's southwestern border defence frontline will submit a proposal at upcoming two sessions, suggesting that China should enhance border manment and control by deploying more smart equipment like drones, as his experience and research indicate huge room for improvement despite wide use of such devices by People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Hou Yun, commander of a border defence regiment affiliated with PLA Tibet Military Command and also National People's Congress deputy, will submit proposal at this year's two sessions, which are scheduled to convene this week, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Saturday.

According to a Global Times report, Drones, currently in use by Chinese frontline troops are mainly small or medium-sized multi-rotor drones. Such drones can vertically take off and land, making m operable at almost any location. y don't require an airfield and it's easy for frontline troops to learn ir technical requirements, making m first choice for border missions, Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert, told Global Times on Sunday.

But y are characterized by shortcomings such as those that frontline troops have reported, and that is why PLA could use larger, fixed-wing drones like GJ-1 and GJ-2 armed reconnaissance drones, he said. During Galwan clash,  PLA deployed drones developed by Shenzhen Keweitai Enterprise Development Co, a private firm, to conduct reconnaissance on hostile forces, Global Times report said.

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(With PTI inputs)