China removes two top generals from Central Military Commission

China has removed top generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from the state Central Military Commission following investigations into suspected serious violations of discipline and law. The high-profile dismissals, announced on August 28, 2026, leave the formerly seven-member supreme military body with only two active members, including President Xi Jinping. The move expands a sweeping, years-long anti-corruption campaign that has purged scores of senior military leaders and raised external concerns regarding the combat readiness of the People's Liberation Army.

Zhang Youxia removal

• ▪China's National People's Congress Standing Committee removed General Zhang Youxia from his post as Vice Chairman of the state Central Military Commission on August 28, 2026
• ▪The Chinese Defence Ministry announced in January 2026 that General Zhang Youxia and General Liu Zhenli were under investigation for suspected serious violations of discipline and law
• ▪General Zhang Youxia was China's highest-ranked general, serving as the second-in-command under President Xi Jinping on the Central Military Commission and as a member of the elite Politburo

Liu Zhenli removal

• ▪China's National People's Congress Standing Committee removed General Zhang Youxia from his post as Vice Chairman of the state Central Military Commission on August 28, 2026
• ▪General Liu Zhenli served as a Central Military Commission member and chief of staff of the Joint Staff Department, which oversees combat planning

Xi Jinping anti-corruption campaign

• ▪President Xi Jinping urged senior leaders of the ruling Communist Party in July 2026 to deepen the fight against corruption in the military
• ▪China's top political advisory body stripped Zhao Zongqi, a former commander of the Western Theatre Command during the 2020 China-India border clashes, of his membership on August 26, 2026
• ▪China's parliament removed General Zhang Youxia, General Liu Zhenli, Lieutenant General Zhong Shaojun, General Ju Qiansheng, and Gao Shiwen from its list of National People's Congress deputies on August 28, 2026
• ▪President Xi Jinping ordered a broad anti-corruption crackdown in 2012 that has targeted the military, leading to the investigation, removal, and purging of scores of senior officials and top generals

Central Military Commission restructuring

• ▪The removal of General Zhang Youxia and General Liu Zhenli leaves only two active members on the formerly seven-member state Central Military Commission: President Xi Jinping and anti-corruption chief Zhang Shengmin
• ▪The August 28, 2026 removals concern General Zhang Youxia and General Liu Zhenli's positions in the state Central Military Commission, and they have not been formally stripped of their posts in the parallel Communist Party Central Military Commission

PLA combat readiness concerns

• ▪An editorial in the People's Liberation Army Daily stated that General Zhang Youxia and General Liu Zhenli had seriously undermined the system of ultimate responsibility resting with the Central Military Commission chairman
• ▪Analysts state that the ongoing military purge, which has removed scores of senior leaders since 2022, calls into question the combat readiness of the People's Liberation Army

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