China has carried out another major shake-up at the top of its military establishment, removing two of its most senior officers from the state Central Military Commission (CMC) amid investigations into suspected serious violations of discipline and law.
The two generals, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, were formally removed from the powerful military body on August 28. Their exit has dramatically reduced the number of active members in what was previously a seven-member commission.
The development is being seen as the latest major step in President Xi Jinping's long-running campaign to tighten discipline and root out corruption within the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
Two of China's Most Senior Military Officers Removed
Zhang Youxia was one of the most powerful figures in the Chinese military. He served as vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and was widely regarded as the second-ranking military official after Xi Jinping.
Liu Zhenli was also a member of the CMC and served as chief of staff of the Joint Staff Department, one of the PLA's most important military command structures.
Both officers had earlier come under investigation over suspected serious violations of discipline and law. The latest decision formally removed them from their positions in the state Central Military Commission.
CMC Now Has Only Two Active Members
The removal of Zhang and Liu has left only two active members in the state CMC, including President Xi Jinping.
The Central Military Commission is China's highest military command authority and exercises control over the People's Liberation Army.
The sharp reduction in its active membership highlights the scale of the political and military reshuffle taking place inside China's defence establishment.
However, an important distinction remains: China has parallel state and Communist Party CMC structures that operate together as one institution. The latest parliamentary announcement specifically concerned their positions in the state CMC, and public confirmation regarding every parallel party position was not immediately available.
Part of Xi Jinping's Wider Anti-Corruption Campaign
The latest removals are part of a much wider anti-corruption campaign launched by Xi Jinping after he came to power.
China's military has been one of the major targets of this campaign. Over the past several years, a number of senior PLA officers and defence officials have been investigated, removed or punished.
Xi has repeatedly stressed the need for stronger discipline inside the armed forces and has called for deeper efforts against corruption within the military leadership.
Investigation Began Earlier This Year
Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were placed under investigation earlier in 2026 over allegations of serious violations of discipline and law.
The formal removal from the state Central Military Commission now represents another significant stage in the action against them.
Chinese authorities have not publicly released detailed evidence explaining the full nature of the allegations against the two generals.
More Military Figures Also Lost Parliamentary Seats
The military shake-up was accompanied by further action involving China's National People's Congress.
Zhang and Liu were among 12 deputies whose names were removed from an updated list of lawmakers. The group included several figures connected to China's military and defence establishment.
The wider development underlines the continuing political pressure on senior officials linked to the PLA and China's defence sector.
Former Western Theatre Commander Zhao Zongqi Also Removed
In another significant development, former PLA General Zhao Zongqi was stripped of his membership in China's top political advisory body.
Zhao previously commanded the PLA's Western Theatre Command, which is responsible for China's military operations along the border with India.
He was the commander associated with China's Western Theatre Command during major periods of tension between India and China, including the 2017 Doklam standoff and the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
Why Zhao Zongqi's Removal Matters for India
Zhao Zongqi was a prominent military figure because of his role in China's western military command, which oversees sensitive areas along the disputed India-China border.
His removal from the country's political advisory system comes at a time when Beijing is carrying out a broader restructuring of its military and political leadership.
While Zhao's removal has attracted attention because of his past role during the Doklam and Galwan tensions, the latest announcements do not establish a direct connection between those border incidents and the action against him.
China's Military Leadership Faces Major Reshuffle
The latest developments show that China's military leadership has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years.
Several senior officials who once occupied key positions in the PLA and defence establishment have either been investigated, removed or replaced.
Xi Jinping has continued to emphasise political loyalty, military discipline and the need to strengthen the armed forces while pursuing his wider campaign against corruption.
What Happens Next?
The removal of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from the state CMC raises important questions about the future structure of China's top military leadership.
Attention will now focus on whether Beijing appoints new members to fill the vacant positions and how quickly the Central Military Commission is restructured.
The developments are also being closely watched internationally because the CMC plays a central role in decisions involving China's armed forces, military modernisation and national security policy.
Conclusion
China's decision to remove Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from the state Central Military Commission marks one of the biggest recent changes in the country's military leadership.
The two senior generals were removed following investigations into suspected serious violations of discipline and law, leaving only two active members in the formerly seven-member state commission, including President Xi Jinping.
At the same time, former Western Theatre Command chief Zhao Zongqi has lost his membership in China's top political advisory body. Zhao was closely associated with the Chinese military command during the Doklam and Galwan periods of India-China border tensions.
The developments underline the continuing scale of Xi Jinping's campaign to reshape and tighten control over China's military and political establishment.