New Shake-up in PLA High Command: Nine Senior Generals Dismissed Before Two Sessions

February 27, ahead of the upcoming National People's Congress (NPC) sessions, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China announced the removal of 19 representatives from the roster, including 9 senior officers from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the Armed Police. This significant personnel change in the PLA's upper echelons follows the investigation of Zhang Youxia, the first vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, in January, marking a new deepening phase of the anti-corruption campaign led by Xi Jinping.

According to official information released, the dismissed military personnel include 5 generals, 1 lieutenant general, and 3 major generals, among whom the most notable are Army Commander Li Qiaoming and former Navy Commander Shen Jinlong. These two have been key leaders in various branches of the PLA, and their removal highlights the breadth and depth of this round of purges. With the removal of these 9 military representatives, the number of PLA and Armed Police representatives in the National People's Congress has decreased from 252 to 243. Although this numerical change seems minor, it reflects the severe turmoil currently experienced by the military's upper echelons.

While the official explanation for the dismissal of these generals was not detailed, the phrase "violations of discipline and law" is typically a euphemism for corrupt behavior in the official Chinese discourse. This personnel adjustment comes just over a month after Zhang Youxia's investigation. As the second-highest figure among the seven members of the Central Military Commission, next to Xi Jinping, Zhang's investigation has caused a strong shock both within and outside the military. Currently, only Xi Jinping and Zhang Shengmin, the secretary of the military commission's discipline inspection commission, remain in active positions among the seven-member Central Military Commission, with other positions yet to be filled, a power vacuum that is extremely rare in PLA history.

This round of military purges is not an isolated incident but a continuation of the ongoing anti-corruption campaign that has persisted since 2024. Since taking office in 2012, Xi Jinping has made anti-corruption a core means of consolidating power, and his slogan of "tigers and flies being dealt with together" has become a hallmark of his governance style. In the military domain, the intensity of the anti-corruption campaign is particularly pronounced. In October 2025, 9 senior generals were collectively dismissed, with officials stating that this was part of the anti-corruption efforts. Now, just four months after that purge, another 9 generals have fallen, demonstrating the normalization and institutionalization of the anti-corruption campaign.

Xi Jinping has repeatedly stated that corruption is the greatest threat to the foundation of the Communist Party's rule, and the anti-corruption situation remains "severe and complex." From a military perspective, anti-corruption is not only about discipline rectification but also a political means to ensure absolute loyalty within the military. By continuously purging those generals who may not be fully loyal in terms of political stance or interest networks, Xi has further reinforced his absolute control over the military. While this approach has its logic on a political level, it may negatively impact the military's command structure and modernization process.

The Central Military Commission's prolonged state of incompleteness suggests that the coordination mechanism at the strategic decision-making level may be hindered. Against the backdrop of ongoing tensions in the Taiwan Strait, unresolved disputes in the South China Sea, and escalating military confrontations between China and the U.S., the frequent personnel changes at the upper echelons of the PLA will inevitably affect the military's readiness and operational preparedness. Some Western defense analysts believe that large-scale purges of generals could lead to disruptions in the command chain, affect troop morale, and even delay equipment procurement and military modernization projects—since many projects overseen by generals under investigation often come to a standstill.

Moreover, such high-frequency personnel changes may also trigger unease within the military. As senior generals fall, mid-level officers and grassroots troops may develop doubts about their career prospects and concerns about the stability of the leadership. This psychological impact may not immediately manifest as a decline in combat effectiveness, but in the long run, it could weaken the military's cohesion and innovative spirit.

It is noteworthy that this personnel adjustment occurs on the eve of the National People's Congress sessions, indicating a clear political timing choice. The National People's Congress is the most important annual event on China's political calendar, during which the full text of the 15th Five-Year Plan will be reviewed and approved, setting the tone for national development over the next five years. Cleaning up "unqualified" representatives before the sessions is aimed at ensuring the "purity" of the meeting and sending a political signal of strengthening discipline and strict governance to both the party and the public.

From a broader perspective, this round of personnel upheaval in the PLA is a microcosm of the evolution of China's political ecology. In a highly centralized political system, anti-corruption has become a normalized tool for consolidating power. For external observers, these personnel changes provide a window into the internal power structure and factional struggles within the Chinese military; for the PLA itself, finding a balance between political loyalty and military professionalism will be a long-term challenge.

As the National People's Congress approaches, various sectors will closely monitor the appointment of new Central Military Commission members. Who will fill these vacant positions will largely reveal Xi Jinping's strategic deployment and personnel layout for the future of the military. It is foreseeable that, in the current political atmosphere, loyalty will continue to be the primary criterion for promotions within the military's upper echelons, and the long-term impact of this standard will require time to assess.