Beijing: China has removed three defense industry delegates, including a nuclear weapons expert, from its national legislature amid an ongoing high-level investigation into two top generals. The Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) convened in Beijing and decided to remove Liu Cangli, former head of the China Academy of Engineering Physics; Luo Qi, chief engineer of the China National Nuclear Corporation; and Zhou Xinmin, former chair of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China.
According to Anadolu Agency, the reason for the removal of the three delegates was not disclosed. The committee's decision was made during its 20th session, which was presided over by National People's Congress Chairman Zhao Leji. The session also reviewed and passed a Credentials Committee report on the lawmakers' qualifications.
The review follows an announcement by China's Defense Ministry on January 24 regarding Gen. Zhang Youxia and Gen. Liu Zhenli, who are under investigation for "suspected serious disciplinary and legal violations." US media reports have suggested that Zhang is accused of leaking nuclear secrets to Washington. However, there was no mention of Zhang and Liu, who are integral members of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Military Commission (CMC), led by President Xi Jinping.
The latest probe leaves the CMC with only two active members, including Xi and Zhang Shengmin, who serves as secretary of the commission's disciplinary inspection body. In recent months, several other senior military officials, including Gen. He Weidong, Gen. Li Shangfu, and Adm. Miao Hua, have also been investigated and removed from the CMC. Zhang is a member of the Communist Party of China's Political Bureau and vice chair of the CMC, while Liu holds the position of chief of staff of the CMC Joint Staff Department.
Since the beginning of President Xi's unprecedented third term in 2023, around 30 senior Chinese military officials have been investigated or removed, marking a significant shake-up within China's military ranks.