China Removes Military Officials, Li Yunze, Ma Xingrui from Parliament

China on Friday stripped six military lawmakers, former financial regulator head Li Yunze, and recently probed Politburo member Ma Xingrui of their posts in the National People’s Congress, according to a report from state-run Xinhua news agency.

The notice from the National People’s Congress Standing Committee cited no reason for the dismissals. No immediate comment or response was received from the defense ministry.

This move marks the latest escalation in President Xi Jinping’s years-long anti-corruption campaign, which has seen numerous senior officials and top generals investigated, removed, and purged.

Among those removed was General Xu Xueqiang, head of the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission and commander-in-chief of China’s Manned Space Programme since 2022. Other officials removed included Generals Li Fengbiao, Guo Puxiao, Wang Kangping, Zhang Minghua, and Yin Hongxing.