Beijing has removed 19 officials from the list of national lawmakers just days before the start of China’s most important annual political gathering, known as the “Two Sessions.” Among those dismissed are nine senior military officers.
The announcement was made on Friday (February 27) by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s top legislative body. British media outlet BBC reported the development.
According to state media, the removed military officials include Li Qiaoming, commander of the ground forces of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and Shen Jinlong, former commander of the PLA Navy. The list also includes several provincial officials, among them Sun Shaocheng, former Communist Party chief of Inner Mongolia.
No official explanation has been provided for the removals. However, analysts view the move as part of President Xi Jinping’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign.
Just weeks earlier, Xi removed one of his close allies, senior General Zhang Youxia, from his post over what authorities described as “serious violations of discipline and law,” a phrase commonly associated with corruption charges in China.
Since taking power in 2013, Xi has pursued an extensive anti-corruption drive under the slogan “tigers and flies,” targeting both high-ranking and lower-level officials. He has repeatedly described corruption as the greatest threat to the Communist Party. Critics, however, argue that the campaign has also been used as a tool to sideline political rivals.
The “Two Sessions,” set to take place in Beijing from March 4 to 11, consist of the annual meetings of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. Thousands of delegates are expected to attend, with authorities scheduled to unveil China’s economic targets and outline key policy priorities for the coming year.
The reshuffle at the top levels of the military just ahead of this major policy-setting event underscores the political significance of the move. In October 2025, China similarly removed nine senior generals from their positions, signaling continued turbulence within the upper ranks of the armed forces.
