China has removed three retired military generals from its top advisory body just days before the annual largest political gathering.
The generals – Han Weiguo, 70; Gao Jin, 67; and Liu Lei, 70 – were dismissed from the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) without any official explanation. This is seen as an unusual move since delegates typically serve their full five-year terms, state media reported.
These ousters come amid a broader wave of military purges in recent weeks.
Han Weiguo, who commanded the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) ground forces from 2017 until his retirement in 2021, and his contemporaries Gao Jin and Liu Lei, held influential military roles over the past decade.
Mr Gao was the first commander of the Strategic Support Force, while Mr Liu served as the army’s political commissar.
Observers note that the abrupt removals signalled a tightening grip on military leadership, with several other officials, including Zhang Kejian from the defence sector, also being dismissed.
These removals coincide with China’s annual political meetings, when around 3,000 delegates of the CPPCC and the National People’s Congress gather in Beijing.
Xi Jinping, China’s leader since 2012, has used anti-corruption campaigns to consolidate power, and critics suggest these purges may serve both disciplinary and political purposes.
The developments have sparked attention globally, given the generals’ high-profile roles and the timing of their removal.
The CPPCC, while influential in advising on policy, holds no legislative authority. Mid-term dismissals, especially of senior military figures, are rare. The Two Sessions, set to begin this week, are China’s most significant annual political gatherings, combining advisory and legislative oversight, and often coincide with strategic personnel reshuffles.
The removal of Mr Han, Mr Gao, and Mr Liu is part of a pattern that has intensified in recent months. Just last January, China’s top general Zhang Youxia and his ally Liu Zhenli were removed and placed under investigation for alleged violations of discipline and law.
Mr Xi’s anti-corruption campaigns, ongoing since he became China’s president, are officially aimed at eliminating corruption within the party and military. However, many analysts argue that they also serve to eliminate potential rivals and ensure alignment with Xi’s political agenda.
