China’s top legislative body to discuss ‘appointments and dismissals’ amid military purge

The National People’s Congress Standing Committee signals a further shake-up following the dismissal of senior generals and former defence minister Li Shangfu

So far no reasons have been given for the removal of these senior figures, but the announcement signals further changes at the top may be in the offing

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So far Beijing has not explained why Li Shangfu was dismissed as defence minister after just months in the job. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 6:03pm, 8 Feb 2024

China’s top legislative body will gather later this month to discuss “appointments and dismissals” amid an ongoing purge that has snared several senior military figures.

The National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee will meet on February 26 and 27 to review the agenda and work reports for the annual meeting of the full legislature a week later.

Over the past few months, meetings of the standing committee have been followed by announcements that a number of senior officials have been dismissed.

“The suggested agenda for the meeting includes … a National People’s Congress Standing Committee eligibility review committee report on the qualifications of certain delegates, and related proposals on appointments and dismissals,” the NPC said.

The standing committee’s last meeting in December announced that nine generals – including senior members of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force – had been removed as members of the legislature.

These included the former head of the rocket force, Li Yuchao, and his deputy, Zhang Zhenzhong, who had been removed from their command positions earlier in the year. The South China Morning Post has previously reported that they are under investigation for possible corruption.