China has removed 19 officials, including nine senior military figures, from its list of national lawmakers just days before its biggest annual political meeting.
The decision was announced by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. Authorities did not provide an official explanation for the removals.
The move comes weeks after Xi Jinping removed one of his top generals, Zhang Youxia, from his position. Zhang had been one of Xi’s closest military allies.
Senior Military Figures Affected
State media reports said those removed include Li Qiaoming, commander of the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force, and Shen Jinlong, a former Navy commander.
Several other military officers also lost their lawmaker status. Provincial officials were affected as well. Among them was Sun Shaochong, former party chief of Inner Mongolia.
Zhang Youxia’s earlier removal followed accusations of “serious violations of discipline and law.” This phrase often signals corruption charges in China.
Ongoing Anti-Corruption Campaign
Since taking power in 2013, Xi has made anti-corruption efforts a central focus of his leadership. He launched the well-known “tigers and flies” campaign, targeting both high-ranking and lower-level officials.
Xi has repeatedly described corruption as the biggest threat to the Communist Party. Recently, he warned that the fight against corruption remains “grave and complex.”
However, critics argue that some purges may also remove political rivals under the banner of discipline enforcement.
In October 2025, authorities removed nine top generals during another military crackdown. Officials said those actions were also part of anti-corruption efforts.
Significance of the Timing
The removals come just before the annual “Two Sessions” meetings in Beijing. These include the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
Thousands of delegates will gather from March 4 to March 11. During this period, the government will outline its five-year development plan and announce annual economic targets.
The timing of the removals highlights the importance Beijing places on political discipline ahead of major policy announcements.
