China reshuffles top officers ahead of congress

BEIJING (AP) - China has named a new air force chief and reshuffled other top military positions ahead of next month's appointment of new Communist Party leaders.

State broadcaster CCTV said on Tuesday that former Deputy Chief of Staff Ma Xiaotian has been made head of the air force. Ma is well known as a frequent participant in the Chinese military's overseas exchanges.

CCTV says he will be replaced by Wang Guanzhong, former head of the general office of the Central Military Commission that oversees the armed forces.

The broadcaster says Tian Xiusi has been named air force political commissar, while Zhu Fuxi has been named commissar of the Chengdu Military Region that includes much of southwestern China and Tibet.