China removes 19 senior officials over corruption ahead of key political meeting

BEIJING (Web Desk) - China has tightened its anti-corruption drive by removing senior military leaders and top government officials, as President Xi Jinping continues his sweeping campaign against graft.

According to media reports, Chinese authorities have unusually removed 19 senior officials — including military officers — from the list of national lawmakers ahead of a key annual political gathering scheduled for next week.

The high-profile meetings will take place in Beijing from March 4 to March 11, drawing thousands of delegates.

During the session, the government is expected to outline its next five-year policy goals and announce annual economic targets.

China’s top legislative body confirmed that nine of the 19 dismissed officials were military officers.

The development comes as Xi Jinping presses ahead with a far-reaching anti-corruption campaign, which he has described as essential to safeguarding the future of the ruling Communist Party.

Since assuming power, Xi has labeled corruption as the party’s greatest threat and launched an extensive crackdown targeting both senior leaders and lower-ranking officials — a strategy widely known as the “Tigers and Flies” campaign.

In a recent move, Xi also removed his close ally, senior military general Zhang Youxia, from his post over what authorities described as serious disciplinary and legal violations.

In October 2025, authorities similarly dismissed nine high-ranking generals as part of what the government characterized as its ongoing anti-corruption efforts within the military.

However, some critics argue that the campaign may also serve as a tool to sideline political rivals under the banner of fighting corruption.