BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping is drawing heavily from the Communist Party's rank and file to fill key military roles in what appears to be a continuation of his efforts to assert control over the armed forces.
"Xi is trying to tighten his grip on the military by choosing people who don't have allegiances to past leaders," a party source said, referring to low-ranking cadres elevated to command posts ahead of a twice-a-decade party congress starting Oct. 18.
