China removes top generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from state Central Military Commission
The Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress voted to dismiss Central Military Commission Vice-Chairman Zhang Youxia and Joint Staff Chief Liu Zhenli following corruption investigations launched in January.
Dismissals by the National People's Congress
On Friday, China's national legislature formally removed General Zhang Youxia and General Liu Zhenli from their posts on the state Central Military Commission. The decision was adopted during the 24th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing, according to state-run news agency Xinhua. Zhang had served as the vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and held a seat on the ruling Communist Party's Politburo. In that capacity, he operated as the senior-most uniformed officer in the Chinese military, directly subordinate to President Xi Jinping. Liu served as a commission member and directed military planning as the chief of staff of the commission's Joint Staff Department. The legislative vote stripped both officials of their state command titles, following their removal from legislative representation.
Disciplinary investigations into senior officers
The formal dismissals follow disciplinary investigations initiated against both military commanders in January 2026. At that time, Chinese authorities announced that Zhang and Liu were under investigation for suspected serious violations of discipline and law. In Chinese political practice, that phrasing serves as the standard institutional formulation for corruption offenses. Prior to the launch of the probe, Zhang was regarded as China's most powerful military commander and had maintained a public profile as an ally of Xi Jinping. Concurrently with the proceedings against Zhang, China's Ministry of National Defence published an investigation report focused on Liu. Former political commissar Zhong Shaojun was also removed from the legislature as part of the broader disciplinary enforcement inside the military hierarchy.
- Xi Jinping comes to power and begins an anti-corruption campaign across the party, state, and military
- Authorities announce corruption probes into Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli for discipline violations
- The National People's Congress Standing Committee votes to remove Zhang and Liu from the state Central Military Commission
Structure and role of the Central Military Commission
The Central Military Commission operates as the supreme command body for the Chinese armed forces, tasked with coordinating national defense and directing military operations. It ensures the absolute leadership of the Chinese Communist Party over the armed forces and is chaired directly by Xi Jinping. Under the Chinese constitutional system, the Central Military Commission exists in two parallel administrative structures, with one body inside the ruling Communist Party and another inside the state apparatus. Friday's announcement by the National People's Congress Standing Committee applied exclusively to Zhang and Liu's positions within the state Central Military Commission. Neither officer has yet been publicly or formally removed from their corresponding positions in the Party Central Military Commission.
Scope of the anti-corruption campaign
The removal of Zhang and Liu occurs within the anti-corruption drive that Xi Jinping has directed since assuming power in 2012. Over the course of the campaign, enforcement actions have reached every tier of the Chinese government, the Communist Party apparatus, and the People's Liberation Army. The proceedings against Zhang indicate that long-serving military allies and top-level Politburo members remain subject to disciplinary review. The Joint Staff Department, which Liu led, oversees operational readiness and strategic coordination across all service branches. Military authorities continue to conduct corruption investigations across the defense establishment under Xi's stated mandate of strict disciplinary enforcement.
