China has removed 19 officials, including nine military officers, from its list of lawmakers ahead of its largest annual political gathering next week, state media reported on Thursday. The changes were announced by the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, the country’s top legislative body.
No official explanation was given for the removals, but the move follows a series of high-profile dismissals in recent weeks, including the removal of General Zhang Youxia, one of President Xi Jinping’s closest military allies and the country’s highest-ranking general. Zhang was accused of “serious violations of discipline and law,” a phrase often used in China to signal corruption allegations.
Among those removed from the lawmaker list are Li Qiaoming, commander of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Ground Force, and Shen Jinlong, a former PLA Navy commander. Several other senior military officers were also affected. Provincial officials were included as well, such as Sun Shaochong, the former party chief of the Inner Mongolia region.
Xi Jinping has made anti-corruption campaigns a central feature of his rule since taking power in 2013. His signature initiative, dubbed the “tigers and flies” campaign, targets both high-ranking and low-level officials. While officials cite the crackdown as essential to strengthen governance and party discipline, some analysts argue that it also serves to remove political rivals and consolidate power.
The latest removals continue a trend of purges in China’s military and political leadership. In October 2025, nine top generals were removed from their posts in what authorities described as part of the anti-corruption drive. The current wave of dismissals comes just weeks after Zhang’s removal and signals a tightening of control over both the military and provincial leadership ahead of the NPC’s annual session, where China sets policy and leadership priorities for the year.
Xi has emphasized the ongoing complexity of combating corruption, calling the fight “grave and complex” in recent remarks. Observers say the timing of these removals ahead of the NPC meeting may be intended to send a message about discipline within the Communist Party and the armed forces.
State media coverage framed the dismissals as part of routine oversight, but international analysts note that the scale of the removals and the high rank of many officials involved underscore Xi’s continuing efforts to shape both the party and military leadership in line with his priorities.
As China prepares for its key political session next week, these changes could have implications for policy decisions and military appointments, highlighting the influence of Xi’s anti-corruption campaigns on the country’s governance structure.
