China has dismissed 9 top generals
The Chronify
In a statement, China’s Ministry of Defense announced that the nine officials have been accused of serious economic crimes. All of them have also been expelled from the military.
Nine generals of the People’s Liberation Army, including a number of senior members of the PLA Rocket Force, have been dismissed from China’s top legislature.
Besides losing their qualification as national representatives, those holding seats in relevant legislative committees had also been removed from their positions, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) announced on Friday. It gave no reason for the disqualifications.
Those dismissed include five past or serving top commanders of the PLA Rocket Force, a key component of the country’s nuclear arsenal, and a former air force commander.
In July, the Central Military Commission (CMC) issued new guidelines calling for the elimination of “toxic influences” within the military and set “strict rules” for officials. This operation is believed to be a continuation of that directive.
Earlier, on a smaller scale, several generals including former Defense Ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu were removed from their positions. Several high-ranking officials in the Rocket Forces were also dismissed. Wang Houbin, who was appointed as a replacement, has now himself been expelled.
