BEIJING: China has dismissed two of its highest-ranking military officials, Zhang Yuxia and Liu Jinli, from their positions within the Central Military Commission. The decision was announced during a meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, according to official reports.
The state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that the removals come as part of ongoing efforts to address corruption within the Chinese military. Zhang Yuxia, who is also a member of the Politburo, serves as the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and was considered one of the most influential figures in China’s armed forces. Liu Jinli, the Chief of Staff of the Commission’s Joint Staff Department, was also dismissed from his role.
Investigations into both officers were publicly announced in January, when the Chinese Ministry of Defense indicated that Zhang Yuxia and Liu Jinli were suspected of “serious violations of discipline and law,” a term commonly used in China to denote corruption or misconduct.
These dismissals are part of President Xi Jinping’s extensive anti-corruption campaign, which has brought significant reforms to China’s political and military systems. However, the fall of Zhang Yuxia, a close confidant of President Xi, has surprised many observers and analysts.
According to the report by Xinhua, during the Friday session of the Chinese parliament’s Standing Committee, it was decided that Zhang Yuxia would be removed from his position as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission. Similarly, Liu Jinli, who oversees military planning and strategy within the Commission, was also relieved of his duties.
The purge reflects the ongoing efforts by Xi Jinping to tighten control over the military and eliminate corruption at the highest levels of power.
