Three senior Chinese legislators linked to the defense industry have been removed from their posts, state media reported, as Beijing presses ahead with a broad anti corruption drive tied to a probe into one of the country’s top military leaders.
The move places fresh focus on China’s military modernization plans and the leadership shakeups unfolding inside key defense and nuclear institutions. Authorities have not explained the dismissals, but they come weeks after investigators opened a case into General Zhang Youxia over suspected “serious violations of discipline and law,” according to official statements.
The decision to remove the three lawmakers was announced by state news agency Xinhua. The officials worked across defense, aerospace and nuclear sectors, though the report gave no formal reason and did not confirm whether they were being investigated.
Those dismissed include Zhou Xinmin, former chairman of Aviation Industry Corp of China, which produces much of the country’s military aircraft and drones, nuclear weapons researcher Liu Cangli, and Luo Qi, a chief engineer at China National Nuclear Corp.
Provincial governments overseeing their positions did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to reporting carried by international outlets.
The removals follow the January announcement that General Zhang Youxia, a senior military figure ranked just below President Xi Jinping in China’s command structure, is under investigation for alleged misconduct.
Officials described the suspected violations as serious breaches of discipline and law. Analysts say the case reflects a continuing anti corruption campaign that has reshaped parts of China’s armed forces in recent years.
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The probe has also affected international military relations. U.S. officials lost a key counterpart within China’s command chain as diplomatic channels between the two sides sought to reduce risks of conflict or miscalculation.
The lawmakers’ removal arrives weeks before China’s National People’s Congress convenes for its annual session, which typically outlines economic and defense priorities for the coming planning cycle.
Xi has set a goal of achieving full military modernization by 2035. U.S. defense officials have warned that corruption within the armed forces could slow progress toward that target.
Corporate developments also surfaced around the same time. Zhou Xinmin’s name disappeared from the Aviation Industry Corp website shortly after he chaired the company in March 2024, and the firm held an anti corruption meeting just before his removal, according to public statements.
Earlier, former AVIC head Tan Ruisong was expelled from the Communist Party in February 2025 on corruption charges, highlighting ongoing scrutiny within the aerospace sector.
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Investigations tied to the China military corruption probe remain active, and authorities have not disclosed whether further dismissals are expected. With the annual legislative meeting approaching and reforms underway, attention is now on how leadership changes inside defense and nuclear industries could shape the country’s long term military agenda.