China removes top generals from state Central Military Commission

China has removed two top generals, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, from their positions within the state Central Military Commission. The announcement, citing the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, follows investigations into both officers for suspected serious violations of discipline and law, which were initially announced in January.

Zhang Youxia, who held the position of vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and was a member of China's elite Politburo, and Liu Zhenli, a commission member and chief of staff of the CMC's Joint Staff Department, are no longer serving in their state roles. However, they have not been formally or publicly stripped of their posts within the Central Military Commission of the ruling Communist Party, which operates in parallel with the state structure.

This significant shake-up leaves only one of the commission's six members intact, prompting analysis from experts like Neil Thomas of the Asia Society Policy Institute. Thomas described the move as one of the biggest purges of China's military leadership in the history of the People's Republic. The full impact of these changes remains to be seen, but some experts suggest they could have repercussions on Beijing's future actions regarding Taiwan.