China has removed three retired senior military generals from its top political advisory body, just days ahead of the country’s largest annual political gathering, scheduled for March 4 to 11, according to Xinhua News Agency.
State media reported that the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) voted to expel Han Weiguo, Gao Jin, and Liu Lei. Authorities did not provide an official explanation for the move.
The decision comes ahead of the annual “Two Sessions” meetings in Beijing, where nearly 3,000 delegates from the CPPCC and the National People’s Congress gather to outline China’s political and economic priorities. The meetings are set to run for about a week.
Senior Military Figures Affected
Han Weiguo, 70, previously served as commander of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) ground forces from 2017 until his retirement in 2021. Liu Lei, also 70, was the army’s political commissar during much of that period. Gao Jin, 67, was the first commander of the now-dissolved Strategic Support Force and later led the Central Military Commission’s Logistic Support Department.
Mid-term removals from the CPPCC are unusual, as members typically serve five-year terms scheduled to end in 2028, as reported by BBC News.
Anti-Corruption Drive Intensifies
The dismissals follow a series of high-profile military purges in recent months. Last week, authorities removed 19 officials, including nine military figures. In January, senior generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were also removed and placed under investigation for “serious violations of discipline and law.”
President Xi Jinping has led sweeping anti-corruption campaigns since coming to power in 2012. While Beijing says the crackdown strengthens discipline within the Communist Party and military, critics argue it is also used to sideline political rivals.
With the Two Sessions about to begin, the latest removals signal continued turbulence within China’s military leadership at a politically sensitive moment.
