China Purges Senior Military Commanders in Anti-Corruption Drive

The National People's Congress Standing Committee removed four senior military commanders from high-level positions on August 28 as part of an ongoing purge within the People's Liberation Army. Xi Jinping is leading the drive to root out corruption and disloyalty within the military, targeting officials regardless of their personal ties to the president.

Zhang Youxia, a former vice chair of the Central Military Commission and family friend of Xi, and Liu Zhenli, a former joint chief of staff, were both removed from the Central Military Commission. Both men had been under investigation since January for serious violations of discipline and laws. Additionally, the legislature revoked the memberships of Zhong Shaojun, a former political commissar of the National Defense University and long-time aide to Xi, and Ju Qiansheng, former commander of the Strategic Support Force.

Other removals included Zhao Zongqi, former commander of the Western Theater Command, who was ousted from the political advisory body. By stripping these officials of their legislative memberships, the government removes legal protections that previously shielded them from arrest and prosecution. This wave of dismissals follows a broader trend; a Center for Strategic and International Studies report estimates that over 100 senior commanders have been purged since 2022, including two defense ministers and all four previous commanders of the Rocket Forces.