Zhao Zongqi

In this Chinese name, the family name is Zhao.

General Zhao Zongqi
赵宗岐
Zhao Zongqi in 2016
Commander of the Western Theater Command
In office February 2016 – December 2020
Preceded by	New title
Succeeded by	Zhang Xudong
Commander of the Jinan Military Region
In office November 2012 – January 2016
Preceded by	Fan Changlong
Succeeded by	Ji Wenming
Chief of Staff of the Jinan Military Region
In office December 2007 – November 2012
Preceded by	Zhang Hetian
Succeeded by	Ma Yiming
Personal details
Born	April 1955 (age 69) Bin County, Heilongjiang, China
Political party	Chinese Communist Party
Alma mater	PLA Information Engineering University PLA National Defence University
Military service
Allegiance	People's Republic of China
Branch/service	People's Liberation Army Ground Force
Years of service	1970–2021
Rank	General

Zhao Zongqi (Chinese: 赵宗岐; pinyin: Zhào Zōngqí; born 1955) is a general (shang jiang) of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China and a former Commander of the Western Theater Command.

Zhao was born in Bin County, Heilongjiang province. In his earlier year he was the deputy chief of staff of the Tibet Military District. In August 1999, he was promoted to chief of staff of the Tibet Military District, then deputy commanding officer of the Chongqing Mobilization District. In October 2004, he was named commander of the 14th Group Army. In September 2007, he was transferred to the 13th Group Army as commander. In December 2007, he was named chief of staff of the general staff of the Jinan Military Region.[1] In November 2012 he was named commander of the Jinan Military Region. On July 31, 2015, he was promoted to the rank of general.[2]

On February 1, 2016, Zhao was named commander of the re-organized Western Theater Command and served in this position till December 2020.[3][4] During his term in the Western Theatre, he oversaw China's response to the 2017 Doklam standoff and the management of 2020 standoff with India in Ladakh.[4]

On February 28, 2021, he was appointed vice-chairperson of the National People's Congress Foreign Affairs Committee.[5]

Zhao was a member of the 18th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

References

1. Wu, Zhongliang (武仲良); Chen, Changjie (陈长杰); Hu, Guoqing (胡国庆). 济南军区参谋长赵宗岐中将莅临新县调研工作. Henan National Defence Education Online. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
2. 中央军委在北京举行晋升上将军衔警衔仪式. 163.com. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 2015-07-31.
3. 五大战区司令员、政委公布(名单). IFeng. February 1, 2016.
4. "Chinese President Xi appoints new General for PLA's Western Theatre Command amidst Ladakh standoff". economictimes. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
5. Yu Hui (余晖) (28 February 2021). 三名上将履新！王宁、郑卫平、赵宗岐新职务披露. qq.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 1 March 2021.

Military offices
Preceded by Zhang Hetian	Chief of Staff of the Jinan Military Region 2007–2012	Succeeded by Ma Yiming
Preceded by Fan Changlong	Commander of the Jinan Military Region 2012–2016	Succeeded by Ji Wenming
New title	Commander of the Western Theater Command 2016–2020	Succeeded by Zhang Xudong