In a prelude to China’s annual Two Sessions, the National People’s Congress stripped 10 PLA officers of their deputy roles on February 26, 2026. This bold action, as reported by The Diplomat, underscores a broader cleansing campaign roiling the Chinese military and potentially destabilizing it by 2026.
Among the casualties: leaders from elite branches including army, navy, air force, and specialized units. Notably, two commanders from Fujian’s 73rd Group Army—focused on Taiwan contingencies—and three CMC-affiliated generals faced dismissal. No official reasons were provided, but patterns point to links with tainted former leaders.
The purge echoes prior high-profile cases, like the January 2026 investigations into CMC members Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli. Navy stalwarts Shen Jinlong and Qin Shengxiang, instrumental in modernizing the fleet, fell victim due to associations with Zhang. Shen’s operational pedigree contrasted Qin’s political CMC tenure, yet both advanced naval power significantly.
This chain reaction from 2025 purges amplifies unease across ranks. Frontline units, especially those eyeing Taiwan, risk plummeting morale and leadership gaps. The relentless probe, rooted in Xi’s 2022 anti-corruption push, suggests further purges loom, compromising PLA’s combat preparedness and cohesion at a critical juncture.