China removes two top generals from supreme military command body amid corruption probe

China has removed two senior military officials, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, from the state Central Military Commission (CMC), the country's highest military decision-making body. State media reported the removals followed investigations into suspected serious violations of discipline and law, signaling a continued crackdown on corruption within the People's Liberation Army.

Zhang Youxia held the position of second-in-command under President Xi Jinping as vice-chairman of the CMC, and was also a member of the Communist Party's elite Politburo. Liu Zhenli was a CMC member and served as the chief of staff of the CMC's Joint Staff Department. Their removal leaves only two active members on the commission, including President Xi Jinping himself.

The military has been a primary focus of Xi Jinping's sweeping anti-corruption campaign, which began shortly after he came to power in 2012. This ongoing effort has led to the investigation, removal, and purging of numerous high-ranking officials and generals across various sectors of the government and military.

While the announcement concerns their positions within the state CMC, it is noted that Zhang and Liu have not been formally or publicly stripped of their posts within the parallel Communist Party CMC structure. Their names were also removed from an updated list of deputies for the National People's Congress, indicating they have lost their seats in parliament along with ten other lawmakers. This list also included Lieutenant General Zhong Shaojun and General Ju Qiansheng, among others.