• China has expelled two top generals, He Weidong and Miao Hua, in a significant anti-corruption purge.
• The expulsion marks the first time a sitting member of the Politburo faces investigation in decades.
• A total of nine generals were dismissed, accused of serious violations of discipline and law.
• This crackdown is viewed as both an anti-corruption move and a potential political purge.
• The announcement comes ahead of an important Central Committee meeting, heightening concerns about political stability.

China's Defence Ministry announced the expulsion of He Weidong, the vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and Miao Hua, the army's top political officer, due to their "serious violations of discipline and law." This marks a significant escalation in the anti-corruption campaign targeting high-ranking military officials, where He Weidong stands out as the most senior official affected, having not been seen publicly since March, suggesting he was under scrutiny prior to the official announcement, according to SCMP and Channel News Asia.

The expulsion of He and Miao contributes to a broader trend, as the Communist Party expelled nine generals in total, whose actions are seen as undermining military integrity. The party's condemnation included accusations of financial misconduct and disloyalty, significantly exemplifying the military's current political climate under President Xi Jinping's leadership. This crackdown has been interpreted not only as an anti-corruption measure but also as a strategic consolidation of Xi’s power, making room for new appointments and reinforcing party unity ahead of the upcoming Central Committee meeting, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

The seriousness of this purge was further emphasized in state media, where it was noted that these former officials dealt a "serious blow" to military unity and the image of senior officers. The PLA Daily editorial asserted that this purge reflects an ongoing necessity to root out "hidden tumours" in the military, directly linking past leadership failures to the current wave of expulsions and reiterating the call for loyalty to the party. Analysts suggest that such purges may serve to create a more disciplined military under Xi, but could also lead to increased caution within military ranks, affecting operational decisiveness, according to SCMP and BBC.