The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has undergone a major leadership reshuffle ahead of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), with a sweeping change of top posts in its four key departments, the website of the Ministry of National Defense showed Thursday.

Military observers say the younger generation of top military officers, who have more professional knowledge and understanding of the outside world, would lead the armed forces down the path of modernization.

According to the ministry's website, Fang Fenghui, 61, Zhang Yang, 61, Zhao Keshi, 65, and Zhang Youxia, 62, were appointed as heads of the General Staff Department, General Political Department, General Logistics Department and General Armament Department respectively.

Fang, Zhao and Zhang Youxia held the posts of commanders at the military regions of Beijing, Nanjing and Shenyang before the promotion, while Zhang Yang served as political commissar in the Guangzhou Military Region.

The reshuffle in the four departments and some military regions as well as the promotion of former PLA deputy chief of general staff Ma Xiaotian to commander of the PLA Air Force this week were seen by media as the largest PLA personnel reshuffle in a decade.

Yang Yujun, spokesman of the ministry, told a monthly briefing Thursday that the personnel adjustment was a normal arrangement, adding there is no need for any in-depth interpretation, China Central Television reported. 

The personnel change has triggered speculation about the future lineup of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and future development of the PLA after the 18th CPC Congress next month.

Major General Xu Guangyu, a councilor at the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, told the Global Times Thursday that as commander of the Air Force, Ma is likely to be promoted.

According to him, the relatively young senior officers who came to the key posts would make sure that China's military goes down the path of modernization, given their knowledge structure and comprehensive qualities.

Li Jie, a senior researcher at the Chinese Naval Research Institute, echoed his sentiments, noting that the officers are inter-disciplinary talents who are more professional and have better field records.

Ma Xiaotian, who served in the Air Force for nearly 40 years in several military regions, has also served as president of the PLA National Defense University and deputy chief of general staff. Ma's experience gave him an edge compared with traditional commanders, commented Li.

Ma, who was in charge of intelligence and foreign exchanges during his tenure as deputy chief of general staff, headed a series of bilateral security talks with foreign armed forces, including the US and Indian armies.

"His background in foreign exchanges could give him a better understanding of the international situation and foreign troops. It will help us learn from foreign experience and technologies," Li said.

Despite the personnel change, Peng Guangqian, a specialist in military strategy at the PLA Academy of Military Science, told the Global Times that it wouldn't change the fact that the Party commands the military or the PLA's defense policy, which is purely defensive in nature.

Analysts expect that the PLA will further strengthen its Navy and Air Force after the 18th Party Congress to safeguard the country's maritime interests and territorial integrity more actively.

"It will more actively coordinate with local authorities and related administrative departments to safeguard China's expanding national interests," said Li.

Last Friday, the Navy's East China Sea Fleet held a joint exercise with the marine surveillance and fishery management authorities in the East China Sea, simulating a boat clash between law enforcement vessels and foreign patrol boats, against the backdrop of increasing tensions between China and Japan over the Diaoyu Islands.

Li also expected the PLA to shoulder more international obligations, such as marine peacekeeping and ensuring the security of international sea lanes to exert its role as a responsible power.

In addition to further developing the Navy and Air Force, Xu said the country would also continue to develop its strategic force as well as its capacity to fight a cyber war against the backdrop of informatization.