China removes three retired generals from advisory body

Published: March 3, 2026 . The English Chronicle Desk . The English Chronicle Online

In a further indication of the ongoing political and military shake‑up in Beijing, China’s top political advisory body has formally voted to remove three retired military generals from its ranks, state media reported on Tuesday. The decision, taken by the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), comes amid an intensifying internal campaign to reshape the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) leadership and consolidate political control ahead of the annual “Two Sessions” meetings.

According to official bulletins carried by Chinese state press, retired generals Han Weiguo, Liu Lei and Gao Jin were stripped of their membership of the CPPCC and their respective committee roles on March 2. The advisory body did not publicly specify reasons for the removals, but such expulsions traditionally reflect a combination of disciplinary investigations, political realignments or erosion of standing within the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) senior ranks.

Han Weiguo, once commander of the PLA Ground Forces and a prominent figure in Beijing’s military hierarchy, was among the leading names affected. His removal has drawn attention from international analysts because of the symbolic impact of sidelining a figure who previously held influence in strategic army planning. Liu Lei and Gao Jin, also retired senior officers, were similarly removed from advisory roles that carry political discretion far beyond formal legislative authority.

The CPPCC’s vote follows a series of high‑profile dismissals and expulsions across China’s military and political structures in recent months. Last week, China’s National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s nominally legislative body, stripped nineteen of its deputies — including nine military officers — ahead of the opening of this year’s session in Beijing. These moves cut the representation of PLA personnel in formal state organs and underscored the strength of the ruling party’s anti‑corruption and loyalty enforcement efforts within its armed forces.

President Xi Jinping has overseen a sweeping campaign against corruption and perceived factionalism within the PLA since he assumed leadership of the CPC more than a decade ago. While China’s official statements emphasize graft eradication and integrity reinforcement, foreign analysts see the purge as also serving broader political objectives: curtailing internal dissent, tightening the party’s grip on the military, and positioning loyalists ahead of critical policy deliberations at the Two Sessions.

Beijing’s anti‑graft efforts within the armed forces have already impacted the very top of the military hierarchy. Earlier in 2026, state authorities confirmed corruption investigations into senior generals such as Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and Liu Zhenli, chief of staff of the CMC Joint Staff Department. These probes, and subsequent dismissals, represent some of the most significant disruptions in the PLA’s command structure since reforms initiated under Xi’s leadership.

Institutional observers note that the CPPCC’s advisory status does not confer direct executive or legislative power. It operates as a consultative organ within China’s unique political system, offering advice on policy and party direction rather than enforcing laws. Nonetheless, membership in the CPPCC has long served as a platform for retired military leaders to retain prestige, influence national discourse, and maintain networks within the party elite. The removal of three such figures signals not only a shift in the military’s post‑service role but also a narrower space for alternative voices within China’s unified political front.

Critics outside China question the opacity surrounding these disciplinary actions. Beijing routinely uses the language of “serious violations of discipline and law” when announcing expulsions or removals, a phrase that often blends allegations of corruption with broader political judgments. Because official accounts rarely provide granular detail, independent verification of specific charges or the substantive evidence against individual generals remains difficult.

Supporters of Xi’s campaign argue that tightening discipline within the military is essential to modernising the PLA, ensuring compliance with the party’s strategic direction, and maintaining stability at a time of complex external tensions. China’s defence strategy, including its growing capabilities and assertiveness in regional disputes, depends on a cohesive command structure aligned with Beijing’s political priorities.

Looking ahead, the unfolding personnel changes in China’s advisory and legislative bodies are expected to reverberate through the country’s political landscape as the Two Sessions convene. These annual meetings, which bring together thousands of delegates to set national policies and development goals, serve as a formal stage for unveiling economic, social and military strategies for the coming year. Analysts suggest that the purge’s timing — immediately ahead of the sessions — reflects the party’s intent to present a unified front and solidify Xi’s authority before deliberations commence.

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