China's National People's Congress Standing Committee removed six military officers from their delegate positions on June 26, 2026, without specifying reasons for the dismissals [1, 2, 3, 4]. The officers removed are General Xu Xueqiang, General Li Fengbiao, General Guo Puxiao, Lieutenant General Wang Kangping, Lieutenant General Zhang Minghua, and Lieutenant General Yin Hongxing [2, 3, 4].

Alongside the military officials, former financial regulator Li Yunze and former Xinjiang Communist Party chief Ma Xingrui, a former Politburo member, were also expelled from the legislature [2, 3, 4].

Several of the military officers showed signs of prior investigations. General Xu Xueqiang, who has led China's Equipment Development Department and served as commander-in-chief of the Manned Space Programme since 2022, missed a major Communist Party meeting in October 2025 [3, 4]. Lieutenant General Wang Kangping attended the same meeting but was not promoted to full membership of the Communist Party Central Committee [2, 3]. Lieutenant General Yin Hongxing was absent during President Xi Jinping’s surprise inspection of Tibet in August 2025, sparking speculation about his status [3].

The purge continues President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign targeting senior military and political officials. In total, 13 members of the National People's Congress were removed in the June 26 notice, including one resignation [2, 4]. This follows a prior round in February 2026 when nine senior military officials were expelled from the legislature [4]. Recent reports indicate about 52% of senior PLA positions have been investigated or purged under Xi’s military shake-up [4].

The purge appears focused on consolidating control over the military by removing officials suspected of corruption or disloyalty. The National People's Congress Standing Committee's notice signals the continuation of these widespread personnel changes in the armed forces and political establishment.

The next known milestone is monitoring further removals or updates from the National People's Congress Standing Committee as anti-corruption efforts persist.