China announced the removal of five generals, along with four lieutenant generals and major generals, from membership in the National People's Congress just one week before the Two Sessions meeting begins.
On Thursday, 26 Feb 2026 GMT+7, the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC) issued a statement saying that the legislature has ordered the removal of five People's Liberation Army (PLA) generals from its membership.
The five include General Li Qiaoming, commander of the army, and General Shen Jinlong, former commander of the navy, who have been dismissed as representatives of the National People's Congress.
In addition, the political commissioners of the navy, air force, and the information support forces, both past and present, including Admiral Qing Shengxiang, Air Marshal Yu Zhongfu, and General Li Wei, have also been removed.
The statement further said other senior military officers and several provincial-level officials, including Sun Shaocheng, former Communist Party secretary of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, were also removed in this round.
This move follows a major investigation targeting top military leaders, including General Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, who is under investigation for "serious violations of discipline and law," a term China commonly uses to refer to corruption.
Furthermore, in January, China's Ministry of Defense announced an ongoing investigation into General Liu Zhenli, chief of staff of the Joint Staff Department under the Central Military Commission, responsible for war planning.
The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that in addition to the five generals, one lieutenant general and three major generals were also removed from the delegation to the National People's Congress, China's highest legislative body.
China is preparing for the "Two Sessions," the country's largest annual political meeting, set to begin on 4 March, where key national policies covering military, economy, trade, and diplomacy will be announced.
Follow international news:https://www.thairath.co.th/news/foreign
Source:cna