The Chinese government announced the promotion of four generals to key military posts on Thursday ahead of a once-a-decade Communist Party leadership change on November 8.

Fang Fenghui, previously commander of the Beijing military region, has been promoted to chief of general staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), according to the Defense Ministry website.

The website also shows that Zhang Youxia, previously commander of the Shenyang military region, has been appointed director of the Armaments Department, which is responsible for development and procurement of new weapons.

Zhao Keshi, former commander of the Nanjing military region, has been appointed director of the General Logistics Department.

A Defense Ministry spokesman said that Gen. Wei Fenghe has been appointed head of the Second Artillery Corps, which controls China's strategic missile arsenal.

The military reshuffle is a key element of the power change as the party has long relied on the military to enforce its rule.