0
0
China’s top lawmakers are set to meet in Beijing as investigations continue into two senior military generals.
The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) will hold its 20th session on Wednesday. The meeting comes amid ongoing probes into top figures within China’s military leadership.
Investigation of Senior Military Leaders
China’s Defence Ministry announced on January 24 that Gen. Zhang Youxia and Gen. Liu Zhenli are under investigation. Authorities cited suspected serious violations of discipline and law.
Both officers serve on the Central Military Commission (CMC), the body that oversees China’s armed forces. President Xi Jinping leads the commission.
With the investigation underway, only two active members remain on the seven-member CMC. They include Xi Jinping and Zhang Shengmin, who heads the commission’s discipline inspection unit.
Military Shake-Up Continues
In recent months, several senior officers have been removed from the CMC. Those affected include Gen. He Weidong, Gen. Li Shangfu, and Admiral Miao Hua.
The CMC was established in 2023 during Xi Jinping’s third term in office.
Reports indicate that at least 30 senior generals and admirals held command roles at the start of 2023. Many have since been removed or disappeared from public view.
Only a small number of senior officers remain in active service across China’s military branches.
Emergency Session of Lawmakers
The NPC Standing Committee had planned to meet later in the month. However, it scheduled an emergency session due to current developments.
This marks the second emergency meeting of the current NPC Standing Committee. The first took place in July 2023, when China replaced its foreign minister.
The proposed agenda includes reviewing a report on the qualifications of NPC deputies.
Military Media Response
Chinese military media said the investigations aim to strengthen combat readiness. An editorial in the PLA Daily stated that the probe would remove obstacles to military development.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the lawmakers will formally address the cases of the generals during the session.
