Beijing, — Chinese President Xi Jinping has dismissed nine senior generals from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in one of the country’s most extensive military purges in recent history. Analysts say the move underscores Beijing’s ongoing campaign against corruption and disloyalty within the armed forces.
Corruption Crackdown and Expanding Military Reform
China’s Ministry of National Defense said the officers removed include Vice Chairman He Weidong, Miao Hua, and He Hongjun, the former deputy chief of the PLA’s Political Work Department. Also dismissed were Wang Haobin, commander of the PLA Rocket Force, former Rocket Force commanders Li Yuchao, Liu Guangbin, and Zhou Yanning, senior naval officer Chu Zhongbo, and armed forces commander Zhang Zhenzhong.
The ministry said the dismissals followed the discovery of “solid evidence” of corruption and abuse of power. All nine officers have been expelled from the Communist Party, and legal proceedings are underway.
President Xi’s anti-corruption drive, intensified in 2023, initially targeted procurement and logistics but has since extended to all branches — the Army, Navy, Rocket Force, and Armed Police. Experts note that the campaign reflects not only a crackdown on financial misconduct but also Xi’s determination to ensure loyalty and discipline throughout the PLA hierarchy.
Historical Scale and Strategic Implications
Historians say this marks the first time in nearly 60 years that China has dismissed so many high-ranking military officials simultaneously. The move is expected to reshape the power structure within the armed forces.
The Defense Ministry said the decision would make the PLA “stronger, more unified, and better prepared for combat,” adding that it sends a clear message: “there is no place for corruption in the military.” Analysts link the sweeping purge to China’s reassessment of its defense posture following the Russia–Ukraine war, as Xi emphasizes building a modern, efficient, and ideologically loyal military capable of addressing future security challenges.
Party Leadership and Military Restructuring Ahead
The upcoming meeting of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee will discuss China’s new five-year development plan, with military restructuring among its key agenda items.
Observers say the dismissals highlight Xi Jinping’s broader effort to consolidate control over the military and reinforce the Communist Party’s absolute authority over China’s defense establishment.
