China has removed nine military lawmakers from its national parliament, signaling a broadening of President Xi Jinping’s ongoing purge of key defense personnel. This action saw the country's top legislative body revoke the membership of five generals and four other officials. These removals are part of a years-long anti-corruption campaign initiated by Xi, which has resulted in numerous top generals and senior officials being investigated and ousted.
The latest expulsions occurred amidst a period where approximately 52% of senior People's Liberation Army (PLA) positions have seen officials investigated or purged. Some of the removed military lawmakers reportedly included Gen. Xu Xueqiang, head of the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission and commander-in-chief of China's Manned Space Program since 2022. Other notable removals included Gen. Li Fengbiao, political commissar of the PLA Western Theatre Command, and Gen. Guo Puxiao, political commissar of the PLA Air Force, along with Wang Kangping, Zhang Minghua, and Yin Hongxing.
The purge has intensified since mid-2023, following Xi's third term. This campaign has affected top military figures, with two vice military chairs, three Central Military Commission members, and a former defense minister among those ousted. The dismissals from the 14th National People’s Congress also included Ground Force Commander Li Qiaoming, Information Support Force Political Commissar Li Wei, Ding Laifu, Bian Ruifeng, Wang Donghai, Shen Jinlong, Qin Shengxiang, Yu Zhongfu, and Yang Guang. These actions have effectively hollowed out much of the military leadership Xi had established just a few years prior.
