Moreover, of the PLA’s five theater commands, PLAAF officers lead two: the Eastern and Central Theater Commands. The survival of PLAAF officers provided Xi with a larger pool of candidates to draw upon as he seeks to rebuild the PLA’s senior leadership. Also, PLAAF officers’ ability to survive constant Discipline Inspection Commission surveillance may have strengthened Xi’s confidence in their reliability. The rise of PLAAF officers to senior leadership posts could influence future PLA development in several ways. There may be a short period of unity among senior PLA leaders after the 21st Party Congress.