Although Hu was named Communist Party chief in 2002 and president in 2003, he did not inherit the mantle of commander-in-chief until a year later and questions had lingered over who commanded the allegiance of the country's rapidly modernising, 2.3-million-strong People's Liberation Army.

But key military appointments by Hu in the run-up to the five-yearly Communist Party Congress that is due to end Sunday in Beijing should help dispel any questions, experts said.

They include a new general chief of staff, the PLA's highest uniformed position, and new commanders of its naval and air forces.

"It looks like he has full control over personnel now. He has continued to raise the military budget and will continue that. He's well established in power now," said Arthur Ding, a Chinese military expert at Singapore's Nanyang Technology University.

 Source : AP/ Times/ Reuters