China dismisses nine military officials ahead of major political gathering

China has removed 19 officials, including nine military leaders, from its list of lawmakers ahead of next week’s major political gathering.

The announcements were made by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, the country’s top legislative authority. No official reason was provided for the removals, which come weeks after President Xi Jinping dismissed Zhang Youxia, a top general and close military ally, from his position.

Since taking office, Xi has carried out multiple anti-corruption campaigns, describing corruption as “the biggest threat” to the Communist Party, though critics argue these drives have also been used to sideline political rivals.

State media reports identified some of those removed, including Li Qiaoming, commander of the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force, and Shen Jinlong, a former PLA Navy commander. Several other military officers and provincial officials, such as Sun Shaochong, former party chief of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, were also on the list.

Zhang’s dismissal followed accusations of “serious violations of discipline and law,” a phrase often used to indicate corruption. The move is part of a broader trend of high-profile purges in the military, including a crackdown in October 2025 that saw nine senior generals removed. Authorities have consistently framed these actions as anti-corruption measures.

Xi has made fighting corruption a cornerstone of his leadership, launching the “tigers and flies” campaign shortly after assuming power in 2013, targeting both high- and low-level officials. He has recently described the battle against corruption as “grave and complex.”

Thousands of delegates are expected in Beijing next week for the Two Sessions, China’s annual political meetings. These include the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, where the government will present its five-year plan and annual economic targets.