• China removed six PLA generals and key political figures from the National People’s Congress.
• The anti-corruption campaign is intensifying under President Xi Jinping.
• Senior officials were removed without reason, signaling a broader purge.
• General Xu Xueqiang and other top commanders were targeted amid ongoing investigations.
• This move reflects Xi's commitment to purging corruption in military and politics.

In a significant escalation of President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign, China has stripped six senior officers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and key political figures, including a former financial regulator, of their positions in the National People's Congress (NPC). The decision was made public through a notice from the NPC Standing Committee, which provided no reasons for the removals. This measure underscores a broader crackdown on corruption that has seen many senior officials and military commanders face investigation and removal from duty, according to SCMP, India Times, and Channel News Asia.

Among those affected by the recent purges are notable figures such as General Xu Xueqiang, who has served as the head of the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission and has also held the position of commander-in-chief of China's Manned Space Programme since 2022. Other senior officers removed include General Li Fengbiao of the PLA Western Theatre Command, General Guo Puxiao of the PLA Air Force, Lieutenant General Wang Kangping of the Eastern Theatre Command, and Lieutenant General Zhang Minghua of the Cyberspace Force, as well as Lieutenant General Yin Hongxing from the Army, reports indicate SCMP, India Times, and Channel News Asia.

The anti-corruption campaign, which has resulted in numerous high-profile investigations and dismissals, is seen as a central piece of Xi's governance strategy. In earlier statements, Xi emphasized that “the armed forces wield the gun. There must never be room in the military for those half-hearted towards the party, nor any sanctuary for the corrupt,” highlighting his commitment to rooting out corruption within the ranks, as reiterated in multiple news reports SCMP, India Times, and Channel News Asia.

The political ramifications of these actions extend beyond the military. Former Xinjiang party chief Ma Xingrui and former head of the National Financial Regulatory Administration Li Yunze were also removed amidst growing scrutiny by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Ma's abrupt departure from his prominent roles, coupled with Li’s profile vanishing from official documents, signals a concerted effort to ensure party loyalty and integrity, according to SCMP, India Times, and Channel News Asia.