BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping is reshuffling the military's leadership to add more loyalists to the top ranks, seeking to consolidate his authority going into this fall's national congress of the Communist Party.
Military insiders say final discussions are underway on doubling to four the number of vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission -- the country's top uniformed officers. The change is likely aimed at reducing the authority held by any one of the second-tier officials, putting more power in the hands of Xi, who chairs the body.
