In a significant development within China’s political and military landscape, the country’s foremost political advisory assembly has voted to remove three retired generals from its ranks. This decision follows closely on the heels of a recent move where nine military officials were expelled from the nation’s legislature, signaling an intensification of Beijing’s ongoing efforts to cleanse its military leadership. These actions come just days before thousands of delegates from across China are set to convene for the annual Two Sessions, a major political event that brings together the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
The CPPCC, which serves as a key advisory body to the Communist Party, conducted a vote during its Standing Committee meeting to dismiss retired generals Han Weiguo, Liu Lei, and Gao Jin. Alongside these military figures, two additional members were also removed, and ten others were officially ousted from their positions. This wave of removals closely follows the NPC’s decision last Thursday to expel 19 delegates, including nine from the military sector. Notably, the official statements did not clarify the specific reasons behind these dismissals, leaving observers to speculate on the underlying causes.
In a related development, Wang Xiangxi was relieved of his duties as the minister of emergency management on the same day, following an investigation led by China’s anti-corruption agency. Similarly, Liu Shaoyun was removed from his role as head of the People’s Liberation Army’s military court. These removals underscore the breadth of the ongoing purge, which extends beyond the military to other key government positions.
Since assuming power over a decade ago, President Xi Jinping has spearheaded an extensive anti-corruption campaign aimed at eradicating graft within the Chinese Communist Party and the state apparatus. In recent years, this campaign has increasingly targeted the military establishment, reflecting Xi’s determination to consolidate control and maintain discipline within the armed forces. Last month, Xi publicly praised the military’s efforts in combating corruption, a rare acknowledgment that highlights the seriousness of the issue at the highest levels of leadership.
Adding to the intensity of the crackdown, Beijing’s defense ministry revealed in January that it had launched investigations into two senior military officials: Zhang Youxia, a vice chairman of the influential Central Military Commission (CMC), and Liu Zhenli, the chief of staff of the CMC’s joint staff department responsible for combat planning. These probes indicate a deepening scrutiny of the military’s top brass, further emphasizing the scale and scope of the purge.
As the Two Sessions political conclave approaches, these developments signal a broader effort by Beijing to tighten its grip on the military and political institutions. The annual meetings, which bring together thousands of delegates from across the country, are expected to address key policy issues while also reflecting the shifting power dynamics within China’s leadership. The removal of high-ranking military officials from both the CPPCC and NPC highlights the ongoing transformation and reorganization taking place within the country’s political-military complex.
