China Removes Three Retired Generals from Top Advisory Body

China has removed three retired senior military generals from the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference just days before the country’s largest annual political meetings.

State media reported that the CPPCC voted to expel Han Weiguo, Gao Jin, and Liu Lei on Monday. No official explanation was provided for the decision, but the move comes amid an intensified wave of military purges in recent weeks.

The removals take place ahead of the annual “Two Sessions” gatherings in Beijing, where roughly 3,000 delegates from the CPPCC and the National People’s Congress convene for about a week of policy discussions and approvals. While the CPPCC serves in an advisory capacity without legislative authority, the National People’s Congress functions as China’s formal law-making body.

Delegates typically serve five-year terms, with the current cycle scheduled to end in March 2028, making these mid-term expulsions unusual.

Profiles of the Removed Generals

• Han Weiguo, 70, served as commander of the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force from August 2017 until his retirement in June 2021.
• Liu Lei, also 70, was political commissar of the army between December 2015 and January 2022.
• Gao Jin, 67, was the first commander of the now-dissolved Strategic Support Force established in 2015. He later led the Central Military Commission’s Logistic Support Department until retiring in January 2022.

Their removal follows other high-profile dismissals within China’s military establishment. Authorities last week announced the sacking of 19 officials, including nine from the armed forces.

In January, senior generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were removed from their posts and placed under investigation for what the defence ministry described as “serious violations of discipline and law.”

Since assuming power in 2012, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has overseen sweeping anti-corruption campaigns targeting both civilian and military officials. While Beijing maintains the measures are necessary to enforce discipline and eliminate corruption, critics argue they are also used to sideline political rivals.

The latest expulsions underscore continued instability within China’s top military ranks as the country prepares for its key annual political meetings.