China's Legislature Removes Nine Military Officials Ahead of Key Political Meeting
China's top legislative body has removed nine military officials from its delegation roster just days before the country's annual political gathering begins. The National People's Congress (NPC) updated its list of deputies from the military delegation on Thursday, reducing the total number of representatives from the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police to 243.
Officials Removed from Key Positions
According to the state news agency Xinhua, those excluded from the 14th NPC include:
- Ground Force commander Li Qiaoming
- Information Support Force political commissar Li Wei
- Ding Laifu of the army
- Bian Ruifeng and Wang Donghai of the Central Military Commission
- Shen Jinlong and Qin Shengxiang of the navy
- Yu Zhongfu of the air force
- Yang Guang of the rocket force
No official explanation was provided for these removals, which come just weeks after President Xi Jinping ousted his highest-ranking general and long-time ally Zhang Youxia. The timing is particularly significant as Beijing prepares for the annual meetings of the NPC and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Part of Broader Military Purge
These dismissals represent the latest development in what analysts describe as the most extensive military shake-up in approximately half a century. President Xi initiated a comprehensive campaign to eliminate corruption within the armed forces in 2023, shortly after securing an unprecedented third term in office. He has repeatedly characterized corruption as "the biggest threat" to the Communist Party's stability and authority.
However, some critics and observers contend that the anti-corruption campaign serves as a mechanism for removing political rivals and consolidating power. Since the campaign began, Xi has removed approximately two dozen senior military figures, including a former defence minister and two vice military chiefs.
Impact on Military Command Structure
The ongoing purges have significantly altered China's military leadership landscape. The crackdown has reduced the seven-member supreme military command body, the Central Military Commission, to a committee consisting solely of Xi and newly promoted vice chairman Zhang Shengmin.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a prominent UK-based security think tank, released a report this week indicating that the continuous corruption purges have created serious deficiencies in the Chinese military's command structure. According to the IISS, these disruptions have likely impaired the readiness of China's rapidly modernizing armed forces.
In its annual Military Balance survey, the think tank noted: "From an organisational perspective, until the vacancies are filled, the PLA is operating with serious deficiencies in its command structure." The report further suggested that the purges remain incomplete, having already affected the Central Military Commission, theatre commands, weapons procurement and development programs, and defence academic institutions.
Context of Upcoming Political Meetings
The "two sessions" political meetings, scheduled to commence on 4 March, will establish China's national policy agenda for the coming year. These gatherings typically address critical issues including military strategy, economic planning, trade policies, and diplomatic relations. The removal of military officials immediately preceding these meetings underscores the ongoing transformation within China's defence establishment under Xi's leadership.
