EASTERN THEATER COMMAND
Key Takeaways
- The Eastern Theater Command is oriented toward Taiwan and the ECS.
- The Eastern Theater Command likely would be in charge of a Taiwan Invasion.
- The Eastern Theater Command was responsible for executing the PLA’s large-scale joint exercises aimed at pressuring Taiwan in August 2022.
The Eastern Theater Command has responsibility for the ECS and likely executes operational control over military matters related to Taiwan and Japan, including contingencies in and around the Taiwan Strait and the Senkaku Islands.
During 2022, the Eastern Theater Command maintained focus on a series of training and exercises to improve joint operations and combat readiness, organizing exercises and drills consisting of long-distance training and mobilization, aerial combat, live-fire training, and the use of modified civilian ferries to help augment transportation.
For Taiwan-related issues, see section on DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECURITY SITUATION IN THE TAIWAN STRAIT (Pg. 136).
2022 EASTERN THEATER COMMAND LEADERSHIP
Commander of the Eastern Theater Command – General Lin Xiangyang [林向阳]
Previous Position: Commander of the Central Theater Command
DOB: October 1964
Age: 58
Birthplace: Dengjun Village, Haikou Town, Fuqing, Fuzhou, Fujian Province [福建省福州市福清市海口镇登俊村]
Education: Nanchang Army Academy; Studied abroad in Russia; Attended a class at PRC NDU for Young- and Middle-aged Cadres [中青班]
Political Commissar of the Eastern Theater Command – General He Ping [何平]
Previous Position: Director of the Political Department of the Western Theater Command; Deputy Political Commissar of the Western Theater Command
DOB: November 1957
Age: 63
Birthplace: Nanchong, Sichuan Province [四川省南充市]
Education: Unknown
Chief of Staff of the Eastern Theater Command, Deputy Commander of the Eastern Theater Command—Lieutenant General Hong Jiangqiang [洪江强]
Previous position: Commander of the 80th Group Army, Northern Theater Command Army
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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
Annual Report to Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China
