China removes two top generals from Central Military Commission
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China's Central Military Commission (CMC) has removed Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and Chief of Joint Staff Liu Zhenli from their posts over suspected serious discipline and law violations. The removals leave only two active members on the seven-member commission, including President Xi Jinping. The move extends Xi's anti-corruption campaign into the military's highest decision-making body.
Key Facts
- Zhang Youxia served as CMC Vice Chairman and was a member of the Politburo, the Communist Party's top decision-making body.
- Liu Zhenli held the posts of CMC member and Chief of the Joint Staff Department.
- The removals reduce the CMC's active membership from seven to two, with Xi Jinping as one of the remaining members.
- The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress announced the decision covering the state CMC, but no official announcement has been made regarding their party CMC posts.
- Zhang and Liu were also removed from the current list of National People's Congress deputies, along with 10 other deputies.
The Removals
China's state news agency Xinhua reported that Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were removed from the Central Military Commission after investigations into suspected serious discipline and law violations. Zhang Youxia was the CMC Vice Chairman, the second-highest military position after President Xi Jinping, and a member of the Politburo. Liu Zhenli served as a CMC member and Chief of the Joint Staff Department. The decision was announced by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and applies to their posts in the state CMC. No official announcement has been made regarding their removal from the party CMC, which operates as a single institution with the state CMC.
Anti-Corruption Campaign
The Chinese military has been a primary target of Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign since he came to power in 2012. Numerous senior officials and generals have been investigated and removed over the years. Last month, Xi called on senior Communist Party officials to deepen the fight against corruption in the military. Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were also removed from the current list of National People's Congress deputies, along with 10 other deputies. The list included Lieutenant General Zhong Shaojun, former director of the CMC General Office, and General Ju Qiansheng, former commander of the Strategic Support Force.
Other Deputies Removed
Gao Shiwen, former mayor of Nanchang and former employee of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, was among those removed. China's top political advisory body ended the membership of Zhao Zongqi, who commanded the Western Theater Command during the 2020 China-India border clashes.
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China removes two top generals from Central Military Commission
