Lobsang 
Credits: @AI Generated
China’s anti-corruption campaign has entered a new phase as President Xi Jinping intensifies his efforts to reshape the country’s military leadership. On 27 June 2026, China’s top legislature removed six senior officers of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) from the National People’s Congress (NPC), highlighting Beijing’s continued crackdown on alleged corruption within the armed forces. The action comes as Xi pushes to strengthen the Communist Party’s control over the military while reinforcing discipline and political loyalty among senior officials. The removals are part of a broader anti-corruption campaign that began after Xi assumed office in late 2012 and has expanded significantly over the past decade, affecting both military commanders and senior civilian officials. While Chinese authorities present the campaign as a step toward building a cleaner and more professional military, analysts say it also reflects Xi’s broader effort to centralize power and ensure that the PLA remains firmly aligned with the leadership’s political priorities.
The removal of six senior PLA officers reflects the deeper significance of Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign within China’s political system. Unlike an ordinary administrative decision, being stripped of membership in the National People’s Congress is widely viewed as a public sign that an official has lost the confidence of the country’s leadership. For senior military figures, it often marks the end of their political influence and weakens the networks they built over years of service. The move also highlights Xi’s continued effort to strengthen the Communist Party’s control over the armed forces by demanding greater discipline and unwavering political loyalty. Al Jazeera reported that Beijing increasingly portrays corruption as both a governance issue and a threat to national security, making loyalty to the Party a central requirement for military leaders. Meanwhile, The Straits Times noted that removal from the country’s top legislature sends a strong political message, signalling a serious fall from power and influence within China’s leadership structure.
Beyond its political symbolism, the latest purge could also have lasting consequences for the PLA’s operational effectiveness. Since 2023, several senior military officials, including former defence ministers and Rocket Force commanders, have either been removed, investigated or disappeared from public view, highlighting the scale of Xi’s campaign. Frequent changes in senior leadership can disrupt military planning, delay decision-making and create uncertainty within the chain of command, particularly as China continues to modernize its armed forces. At the same time, Chinese officials argue that removing corrupt officials is essential to improving procurement, promotions and combat readiness by eliminating entrenched patronage networks. Reuters, citing the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), reported in Feb 2026 that repeated military purges had created vacancies in key command positions, raising concerns about operational readiness. The Associated Press has also observed that Xi’s anti-corruption drive has increasingly targeted the PLA’s highest ranks, underscoring Beijing’s determination to ensure both military professionalism and absolute political loyalty.
As Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign continues to reshape China’s military leadership, attention is shifting from the immediate purge to its long-term consequences. The central question is whether these high-profile removals will lead to lasting institutional reforms or remain primarily a political effort to strengthen Party control over the armed forces. If Beijing follows the crackdown with stricter oversight, more transparent promotions, and improved procurement systems, the People’s Liberation Army could emerge as a more accountable and professional force. However, if the campaign focuses mainly on political loyalty, it could create a more cautious military culture where officers prioritize avoiding mistakes over taking initiative. The BBC has noted that while anti-corruption measures may improve discipline, frequent leadership changes also risk affecting morale and operational continuity. Ultimately, the campaign reflects Xi’s broader vision of ensuring that the PLA remains not only militarily capable but also firmly aligned with the Communist Party’s leadership.
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Jun Hao 
Rinchen Tashi 
Karma Ngawang