China strips generals, ex-financial regulator, politburo member of lawmaker posts

China's top legislative body, the National People's Congress (NPC), has stripped six military lawmakers, former financial regulator head Li Yunze, and Politburo member Ma Xingrui of their legislative posts, according to state-run Xinhua news agency. The NPC Standing Committee issued a notice of the dismissals without providing specific reasons.

The removals signify a further escalation of President Xi Jinping's extensive anti-corruption campaign, which has led to the investigation, removal, and purging of scores of high-ranking officials and top generals over several years.

The affected military lawmakers include General Xu Xueqiang, who leads the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission, a key body responsible for the development, acquisition, and testing of People's Liberation Army (PLA) equipment. Xu has also served as the commander-in-chief of China's Manned Space Programme since 2022.

Other removed military officials include General Li Fengbiao, former political commissar of the PLA Western Theatre Command; General Guo Puxiao, former political commissar of the PLA Air Force; Wang Kangping of the Eastern Theatre Command; Zhang Minghua of the Cyberspace Force; and Yin Hongxing of the Army. No immediate comment was available from the defense ministry, and the officials could not be reached for comment.