The only grandson of China's former leader Mao Zedong has achieved the rank of major general, becoming the youngest general in the People's Liberation Army.
Chinese officials confirmed the appointment Monday, ending months of speculation. A Communist Party-controlled newspaper (the Global Times, published by the People's Daily) quoted a spokesman as saying the "many achievements" of 40-year-old Mao Xinyu had earned him the right to be promoted.
Mao is a military historian attached to the PLA's Academy of Military Sciences. Photos of him in the uniform of a major general first appeared on the China News Service website last week.
Mao Zedong led the revolution that established the People's Republic of China in 1949. The younger Mao answered earlier speculation about his promotion by saying "Everyone is transferring their love for my grandfather to me."
Some information for this report provided by AFP, AP and Bloomberg
