China’s top legislative panel has removed nine serving military officers from the 14th National People’s Congress, according to a report from the state-run Xinhua News Agency. The National People’s Congress Standing Committee carried out the revocations during a two-day meeting held this week.
Who was removed - The committee revoked the delegate status of Ground Force Commander Li Qiaoming and Information Support Force Political Commissar Li Wei. In addition to those two, seven other military figures were dismissed from the NPC, including Ground Force’s Ding Laifu; Central Military Commission members Bian Ruifeng and Wang Donghai; Navy leaders Shen Jinlong and Qin Shengxiang; Air Force commander Yu Zhongfu; and Rocket Force officer Yang Guang, the Xinhua notice said.
No reasons provided in the notice - The official notice announcing the removals did not set out reasons for the revocations. The public statement contained no additional detail explaining the committee’s grounds for stripping the nine officers of their NPC membership.
Broader context noted by the report - Xinhua said the dismissals follow a recent move by President Xi Jinping to open an inquiry into General Zhang Youxia, described in the report as a top general and former ally. The authorities have not provided a full accounting of the allegations; the report said the men under investigation are suspected of "serious discipline and law violations."
Implications and limits of available information - The available reporting is limited to the list of names removed, the procedural action taken by the NPC Standing Committee during its two-day meeting, and the note that an investigation into Zhang Youxia is under way. The official notice did not disclose investigative findings, specific charges, or next steps, and it did not attribute motives for the removals.
Given the information released in the Xinhua notice, observers are left with the confirmed actions - nine officers removed from NPC membership and a referenced investigation into a separate senior general - and without detailed public explanations from authorities.
Key points
- Nine military officials had their membership in the 14th National People’s Congress revoked by the NPC Standing Committee during a two-day meeting this week.
- The list of removed officers includes Ground Force Commander Li Qiaoming and Information Support Force Political Commissar Li Wei, together with seven other senior military figures.
- The removals were reported alongside a separate investigation into General Zhang Youxia; authorities said those under investigation are suspected of "serious discipline and law violations." Sectors likely to monitor the development include defense-related industries and markets sensitive to geopolitical and political stability risk.
Risks and uncertainties
- Official explanations are limited - the NPC notice did not provide reasons for the removals, leaving uncertainty about legal or disciplinary bases for those actions. This creates informational risk for analysts tracking leadership changes.
- Ongoing investigations - the referenced probe into Zhang Youxia is described only as an inquiry with allegations of "serious discipline and law violations," with no public details on scope or outcome, heightening uncertainty about potential further personnel moves.
- Market and sector sensitivity - defense firms and market participants attuned to political and security developments may face volatility as more information, if any, becomes available; the timing and content of any future disclosures remain unknown.