China Removes Senior General, Naval Chief, Top Scientist in Military Purge

China has intensified its anti-corruption purge within the military, removing several top officials including General Miao Hua, Vice Admiral Li Hanjun, and nuclear scientist Liu Shipeng from the National People's Congress (NPC). General Miao Hua, who was the youngest member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and director of its Political Work Department responsible for enforcing Communist Party ideology, has been under investigation for serious violations of discipline, a euphemism for corruption, since late 2024 and was dismissed from the CMC in 2025. Vice Admiral Li Hanjun and Liu Shipeng were also expelled as part of this sweeping crackdown targeting senior military and defense industry figures. The purge reflects President Xi Jinping's ongoing efforts since he assumed power to consolidate control over the armed forces, eliminate corruption, and ensure loyalty to the Communist Party. This campaign has led to the removal of numerous senior generals, including former defense ministers, as Xi seeks to strengthen the military’s ideological conformity. While these purges may disrupt the image of stability Beijing wishes to project globally, they continue amid limited US-China military dialogue, raising concerns about regional security dynamics.