The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, removed three former army generals from their delegate status during the closing session of its 15th meeting on 2/3. The generals are: Han Weiguo, Liu Lei, and Gao Jin.

General Han Weiguo previously served as commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Ground Force. Generals Liu Lei and Gao Jin also held senior positions within the PLA. All three were notably absent from the CPPCC's 14th session late last year.

General Han Weiguo in a 2017 photo. *SCMP*

The CPPCC also voted to remove two additional members and stripped ten individuals of their delegate status in related actions.

This move follows the National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, dismissing 19 delegates on 26/2, including nine military officials. The reasons for these dismissals were not disclosed.

These developments precede the annual "Two Sessions," comprising the CPPCC and the NPC, where thousands of delegates from across China will convene. These key political meetings are scheduled to open on 4/3 and will last for one week.

The dismissals are part of China's intensified anti-corruption campaign across various sectors, with the military being a significant focus in recent years.

In late January, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced that Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, is under investigation for serious violations of discipline and law—a phrase often used to denote corruption. Liu Zhenli, chief of the Joint Staff Department and a member of the Central Military Commission, is also under investigation for similar allegations.

General Zhang Youxia previously headed the General Armaments Department, which was responsible for procuring and developing equipment and weaponry for the Chinese military.

Beijing has not released details of the alleged violations by Zhang and Liu. However, the *PLA Daily*, the military's official newspaper, published editorials accusing them of "seriously trampling upon and undermining the system of highest responsibility belonging to the chairman of the Central Military Commission."

Duc Trung (Sources: Xinhua, AFP, AP)