China’s top legislative body has dismissed 19 deputies, including nine military officers, just days before the opening of its annual parliamentary session, in a move widely viewed as part of President Xi Jinping’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign.
The announcement was made Thursday by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, one week before the legislature convenes for its yearly meeting in Beijing. No official explanation was provided for the removals, but such actions are typically linked to disciplinary or corruption investigations.
Military Figures Among Those Removed
The dismissed lawmakers include officers from across multiple branches of China’s armed forces, among them representatives connected to the Central Military Commission — the country’s highest military governing body. Three of the removed officers hold the rank of general.
Personnel from the army, navy, air force and the strategically critical rocket force were affected. The rocket force, which oversees China’s nuclear arsenal, has previously been the focus of internal investigations and leadership reshuffles.
The Standing Committee also announced the dismissal of two senior officials: the president of the military court and Wang Xiangxi, China’s minister of emergency management. Authorities confirmed last month that Wang is under investigation for suspected corruption.
Anti-Corruption Campaign Continues
The removals come amid a sweeping anti-graft drive launched by Xi Jinping more than a decade ago. The campaign has targeted officials at all levels of government and the military, reinforcing party discipline while reshaping the leadership structure.
Analysts say the initiative has helped Xi consolidate authority during his 14 years in power, while also signaling a continued focus on modernizing the armed forces and strengthening internal loyalty.
In recent months, several high-ranking military figures have faced investigation or removal, underscoring Beijing’s emphasis on cleaning up corruption within defense institutions.
Limited Impact on Annual Legislative Session
Despite the dismissals, the upcoming session of the National People’s Congress is not expected to be significantly affected. The legislature, which currently has 2,878 members following the removals, primarily formalizes decisions already made by the ruling Communist Party.
The annual meeting, scheduled to begin next week and last about seven days, typically focuses on approving economic targets, government work reports and policy priorities.
The Standing Committee — a smaller, more powerful body within the NPC — has the authority to remove deputies and approve legislation when the full congress is not in session.
As China prepares for its most important political gathering of the year, the latest round of dismissals highlights the leadership’s continued emphasis on discipline, control and internal restructuring within both civilian and military ranks.