China unveils a new naval chief as maritime tensions climb

China president Xi Jinping, who is the chairman of the Central Military Commission, and other leaders pose with the new naval chief Hu Zhongming (back row, right) and Wang Wenquan (back row, left) at the ceremony on Dec 25, 2023. - Xinhua

BEIJING: China unveiled a new head of its navy, a move that comes amid worsening tensions in the South China Sea.

Hu Zhongming was promoted to the rank of general at a ceremony in Beijing attended by President Xi Jinping on Monday (Dec 25), the official Xinhua News Agency reported.