State media reported that China has removed three lawmakers linked to the defence, aerospace and nuclear industries shortly after authorities announced an investigation into General Zhang Youxia. Xinhua did not provide reasons for the dismissals and provincial officials did not respond to requests for comment. The move, announced about a month before the National People's Congress, could complicate U.S.-China military contacts as Beijing pursues full military modernisation by 2035.
China Removes Three Defence-Linked Lawmakers Amid Probe Of Top General
FILE PHOTO: Chinese President Xi Jinping stands in a car to review the troops during a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2025. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo
BEIJING — State media reported on Wednesday that China has removed three lawmakers with industry ties to the defence sector, a move announced soon after authorities disclosed an investigation into General Zhang Youxia as Beijing presses ahead with military modernisation.
What Happened
Xinhua's brief announcement gave no explanation for the dismissals and did not say the three officials were themselves under investigation. The officials named were Zhou Xinmin, the former chairman of state-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC); Liu Cangli, a longtime nuclear-weapons researcher who led the China Academy of Engineering Physics until 2024; and Luo Qi, chief engineer at state-owned China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC).
Context And Timing
The defence ministry said on January 24 it was investigating General Zhang Youxia, long viewed as a close Xi Jinping ally, for suspected 'serious violations of discipline and law.' Zhang's probe removes a familiar senior channel Washington had relied on for high-level military contacts aimed at preventing incidents between the world's two most powerful armed forces.
FILE PHOTO: Members of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy march during the rehearsal ahead of a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2025. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo
The dismissals were announced roughly a month before the National People's Congress convenes for its annual session, which marks the start of China’s five-year planning cycle. Provincial authorities responsible for the removals did not immediately respond to reporters' faxed requests for comment.
Implications
The timing and lack of public explanation have drawn attention because President Xi has set a goal for China to achieve what he calls full military modernisation by 2035. The U.S. Pentagon has warned that corruption within the military could impede progress toward that objective. Analysts say the removals and Zhang's investigation could complicate reform efforts and hamper stable high-level military-to-military communication with the United States.
AVIC said on social media it held an anti-corruption meeting the day before Zhou's removal; Zhou's name has been removed from AVIC's website. Former AVIC head Tan Ruisong was expelled from the Communist Party for corruption in February 2025.
Reporting by Colleen Howe and Ethan Wang; Edited by William Mallard.
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