China parliament meets as probe targets two military chiefs

2026-02-04 - 12:55

China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee is set to gather in Beijing on Wednesday, drawing attention as investigations into two high-ranking military figures reshape the leadership landscape within the country’s armed forces and the Central Military Commission. Meeting agenda under scrutiny According to an official announcement, the decision to hold the 20th session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee was taken earlier this week by the Council of Chairpersons. Lawmakers are expected to review a report from the Credentials Committee assessing the qualifications of selected deputies, a routine process now overshadowed by ongoing disciplinary probes. Generals under investigation The meeting follows a Jan. 24 statement from China’s Defense Ministry confirming that Gen. Zhang Youxia and Gen. Liu Zhenli are under investigation for “suspected serious discipline and law violations.” It remains unclear whether the Standing Committee will directly address their status, but the timing has fueled speculation about potential outcomes. Impact on military leadership Zhang and Liu are members of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Military Commission, chaired by President Xi Jinping. With several senior officers removed or investigated in recent months, only a small number of active CMC members remain. Since Xi began his third term in 2023, roughly 30 senior military officials have faced probes or dismissal. Observers in Türkiye note that the developments highlight Beijing’s emphasis on internal discipline and centralized control, factors closely watched by countries assessing China’s regional and global military