Full Breakdown
China Strips Two Senior Generals from the Central Military Commission
8/28/2026, 9:40:54 PM
Removal of Senior Generals from the Central Military Commission
On August 28, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress announced that Vice-Chairman Zhang Youxia and Lieutenant General Liu Zhenli were formally removed from the state Central Military Commission (CMC). Zhang, the CMC’s senior vice-chairman, had been the highest-ranking uniformed officer, while Liu headed the CMC’s Joint Staff Department. Both names were also deleted from the updated list of National People’s Congress deputies, indicating the loss of their parliamentary seats.
Background: Anti-corruption Drive in the PLA
The removals occur within a broader anti-corruption campaign launched by President Xi Jinping in 2012. State-run Xinhua reported that the military has been a primary target of the campaign, with numerous senior officers investigated, purged, or dismissed over the past decade.
Official Statements & Responses
Chinese authorities said the two generals have been under investigation for alleged discipline violations since January. The National People’s Congress Standing Committee’s announcement confirmed that the removals were carried out in accordance with party and state disciplinary procedures. No formal criminal charges have been disclosed, and the officials have not been publicly stripped of their positions within the Communist Party’s parallel CMC structure.
Data & Statistics
- The CMC, originally a seven-member body, now retains only two active members besides President Xi Jinping after the removals.
- In addition to Zhang and Liu, ten other lawmakers lost their NPC seats, including former CMC General Office director Zhong Shaojun and former Strategic Support Force commander Ju Qiansheng.
Implications for Civil-Military Relations
The latest purge reinforces the party’s emphasis on tightening control over the military and signals that senior officers remain vulnerable to disciplinary action, regardless of rank or veteran status. Analysts note that the continued reduction of senior military representation in the CMC may centralize decision-making authority under President Xi, further consolidating civilian oversight of the People’s Liberation Army.
