China’s National People’s Congress Removes 9 Generals — No Mention of Zhang Youxia

On February 26, 2026, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress announced the removal of 19 deputies, including nine PLA representatives. Notably absent from the list were Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and CMC member Liu Zhenli.

[People News] On the afternoon of February 26, the 21st session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) concluded in Beijing. That day, the NPC Standing Committee announced the removal of 19 deputies from their positions, including nine representatives from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). However, the names of Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and CMC member Liu Zhenli were not included.

According to Xinhua, the session voted to remove Wang Xiangxi from his position as Minister of Emergency Management, Jiang Chenghua from the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee, and Liu Shaoyun from his post as President of the PLA Military Court. Other personnel decisions were also approved.

The same day, the NPC Standing Committee issued a public notice removing 19 individuals from their roles as deputies to the 14th NPC. Among them were nine PLA representatives, including:

• Former Navy Commander Shen Jinlong

• Former Navy Political Commissar Qin Shengxiang

• Former Air Force Political Commissar Yu Zhongfu

• Former Army Commander Li Qiaoming

• Former Political Commissar of the Information Support Force Li Wei

• Wang Donghai (Lieutenant General), Political Commissar of the CMC National Defense Mobilization Department

• Three Major Generals: Bian Ruifeng, Ding Laifu, and Yang Guang

However, the widely watched cases of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli — previously announced by the Ministry of National Defense as under investigation — were not reflected in the removal list.

On January 24, the Ministry of National Defense announced that Zhang and Liu were “suspected of serious violations of discipline and law” and were placed under investigation by Party authorities.

Under China’s legal framework, NPC deputies enjoy a degree of judicial immunity tied to their office. Without approval from the NPC Standing Committee, deputies cannot be arrested or prosecuted. If criminal conduct is suspected, their representative status must first be revoked or suspended before legal action proceeds.

As of now, the official NPC website still lists Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli as deputies affiliated with the PLA and Armed Police delegation.

Observers have questioned whether proper legal and Party procedures were followed in initiating investigations against the two men. Some commentators argue that the ongoing military purge reflects a broader internal power struggle and an emphasis on political loyalty within the armed forces.

According to incomplete statistics, over the past two years more than 36 PLA deputies to the NPC — including 16 full generals — have been removed from their positions.