The move marks another major development in President Xi Jinping’s long-running anti-corruption campaign, which has swept through the military, Communist Party, government and state-owned enterprises since he came to power in 2012. China has removed two of its most senior military officers from the country’s supreme military command body, the Central Military Commission (CMC), following investigations into suspected serious violations of discipline and law.
Zhang illegally accepted more than 55 million yuan ($8.15 million) between 2008 and 2025 while working at the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND), as well as after his retirement, according to the first-instance verdict cited by Xinhua. Beijing has not publicly provided a reason for the move or announced an investigation against him.
The removal of CMC Vice-Chairman Zhang Youxia and CMC member Liu Zhenli leaves only two active members on what was previously a seven-member commission, including Xi Jinping, according to state news agency Xinhua. Zhao was stripped of his membership of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and removed from two other positions.
The two generals were also among 12 lawmakers whose names were removed from an updated list of deputies published by the National People’s Congress on Friday, indicating that they had formally lost their seats, Reuters reported. Zhao led the Western Theatre Command during the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, according to India Today.
He was later reported to have authorised the operation to “teach India a lesson”. China maintains separate Communist Party and state Central Military Commissions, but both operate as a single institution. Friday’s announcement by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress relates to Zhang and Liu’s positions in the state CMC.
