Beijing has stripped Han Weiguo, Gao Jin, and Liu Lei of their positions in the CPPCC as a widening military purge continues to rattle the People’s Liberation Army.
In a significant move just days before the commencement of the “Two Sessions,” China’s most prominent annual political event, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) has formally ousted three high-ranking retired generals. State media confirmed on Monday that Han Weiguo, Gao Jin, and Liu Lei were removed from the advisory body following a vote. While the government has not officially provided a rationale for these dismissals, the timing suggests a continuation of the intensive anti-corruption drive targeting the military establishment.
The removals are particularly notable given that delegates typically serve full five-year terms, which were not scheduled to conclude until 2028. Han Weiguo previously commanded the PLA ground forces, while Liu Lei served as a political commissar during the same period. Gao Jin was the initial head of the now-restructured Strategic Support Force. These departures follow the recent downfall of several other high-level military figures, including former top general Zhang Youxia, signaling a deep-seated restructuring of the armed forces’ leadership.
“Authorities gave no explanation for the ousters but they come as China’s purges of military top brass have picked up pace in recent weeks.”
President Xi Jinping’s signature anti-corruption campaign, launched in 2012, has seen thousands of officials disciplined. While the administration frames these actions as a necessary effort to ensure loyalty and integrity, some analysts argue the purges serve as a mechanism to consolidate power and eliminate potential internal opposition. This week, approximately 3,000 delegates will gather in Beijing for meetings that will shape the nation’s policy direction for the coming year.
SOURCES: Chinese State Media, CPPCC, National People’s Congress, BBC Monitoring.
This report has been significantly transformed from original source material for journalistic purposes, falling under ‘Fair Use’ doctrine for news reporting. The content is reconstructed to provide original analysis and reporting while preserving the factual essence of the source.
