Beijing: China has removed six senior military officers, a former top financial regulator and a former Politburo member from their positions as lawmakers in the country's national parliament, in the latest sign that President Xi Jinping's anti corruption campaign continues to reshape the country's political and military leadership.
The decision was announced on Saturday by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislative body. State news agency Xinhua confirmed the removals but did not provide any explanation for the action. The announcement has drawn attention because several of those removed held key positions in China's military, defence industry and government.
Among the six military officers stripped of their lawmaker status is General Xu Xueqiang, who headed the Central Military Commission's Equipment Development Department and was also involved in China's manned space programme. Other officers removed include General Li Fengbiao, former political commissar of the Western Theatre Command, General Guo Puxiao, former political commissar of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, Wang Kangping from the Eastern Theatre Command, Zhang Minghua of the Cyberspace Force and Yin Hongxing of the People's Liberation Army Army.
The parliamentary announcement also confirmed the removal of former Politburo member Ma Xingrui and former financial regulator Li Yunze from their positions as lawmakers. Chinese authorities did not state the reasons behind the decision, continuing a pattern in which senior officials are removed from public office without immediate public disclosure of any disciplinary findings or criminal charges.
Political analysts say the latest action fits into Xi Jinping's broad campaign against corruption, which has increasingly focused on the People's Liberation Army as well as the country's financial and state sectors. Since taking power more than a decade ago, Xi has made anti corruption efforts a central part of his leadership, arguing that corruption threatens the stability of the Communist Party and weakens China's national security.
The latest removals are especially significant because several of the officers were closely connected with military procurement, weapons development, cyber operations and strategic defence projects. These areas have come under intense scrutiny in recent years as Beijing seeks to modernise its armed forces while tightening oversight of defence spending and procurement.
Ma Xingrui's removal is also seen as a major political development. Once considered one of China's most influential regional leaders, Ma previously served as Communist Party secretary of Xinjiang and held senior positions in China's aerospace industry before moving into provincial leadership. He had already come under investigation by the country's anti corruption authorities earlier this year, and his removal from parliament further signals that his political career has effectively come to an end.
Li Yunze's dismissal adds to the government's ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight of the financial sector. China has carried out several investigations into financial regulators and executives over the past few years as authorities seek to reduce financial risks and improve discipline within state institutions.
The latest parliamentary action follows a series of high profile investigations across China's defence establishment. Earlier this week, authorities announced an investigation into senior defence and space official Bian Zhigang. In recent months, several senior executives from state owned defence companies and military research organisations have also been removed or placed under investigation.
China has also taken action against former defence ministers and other high ranking military leaders as part of what experts describe as the most extensive military anti corruption campaign in years. The repeated investigations suggest that Beijing remains concerned about corruption in defence procurement and military management despite years of earlier reforms.
The lack of detailed explanations surrounding the latest dismissals reflects the secretive nature of China's disciplinary system. Officials often disappear from public view long before formal announcements are made, and investigations are usually conducted behind closed doors. Public details are frequently released only after internal disciplinary procedures have been completed.
While no criminal charges have yet been announced against the officials removed on Saturday, observers expect China's anti corruption agencies to provide further updates if formal investigations continue. The latest changes underline Xi Jinping's determination to tighten control over the Communist Party, the military and other key state institutions as China continues to pursue military modernisation and economic stability.