Xu Caihou

Xu Caihou (born June 1943 in Wafangdian, Dalian, Liaoning) is one of three vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China along with Guo Boxiong. He succeeded Hu Jintao to the post on September 19, 2004 upon the latter's promotion to the chairmanship. His appointment came as a surprise to some analysts, as it was thought that Zeng Qinghong would be Hu's successor.

Xu was also a member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China Central Committee for the 16th CPC Central Committee and is currently a member of the 17th CPC Central Committee.