Seven Chinese military officers have been promoted to the rank of general, the highest rank for officers in active service in China. 

Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), presented the officers with certificates of order at a ceremony organized by the CMC in Beijing on Thursday. 

Xi shook hands with the seven generals and congratulated them on the promotion. They also took a group photo afterwards.

The promoted officers are Commander of the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) He Weidong, Political Commissar of the PLA's Eastern Theater Command He Ping, Political Commissar of the PLA's Southern Theater Command Wang Jianwu, Commander of the PLA's Northern Theater Command Li Qiaoming, Commander of the PLA Rocket Force Zhou Yaning, Commander of the PLA Strategic Support Force Li Fengbiao, and head of the PLA's Academy of Military Sciences Yang Xuejun. 

Xu Qiliang, CMC vice chairman, announced the orders of promotion at the ceremony, which was presided over by his fellow CMC vice chairman Zhang Youxia. 

(With input from Xinhua)