Recently, four provincial public security chief positions and seven provincial political and legal affairs secretary positions have seen personnel changes. These changes are due to China's attempt to strengthen its rule of law, build a professional judicial sector, and reduce Party interference with the judicial sector.
Recent personnel changes in the public security apparatus also signify an emphasis on social stability leading up to the 19th Party Congress. The changes include
- five new appointees that are all below the age of 50 and have legal experience
- the personnel changes follow certain trends
- political and legal affairs secretaries do not simultaneously hold positions as public security chiefs
- seen in Tianjin, Shaanxi, Hunan, and Henan
- political and legal affairs secretaries no longer jointly hold positions as deputy party secretary or deputy governor
- seen in Jilin, Guangdong, and Guangxi
- political and legal affairs secretaries do not simultaneously hold positions as public security chiefs
- frequent personnel changes in political and legal affairs and in public security are normal, and a crucial part of judicial reform