Xi urges Chinese military to reinforce political loyalty amid leadership shake-up

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday called on the country’s armed forces to reinforce their political loyalty to the ruling party , following the recent removal of several senior military leaders in what analysts describe as one of the most significant shake-ups in China’s military establishment in recent years.

Speaking to a reduced delegation of officers from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the People’s Armed Police Force during the annual session of the National People's Congress in Beijing, Xi stressed the importance of strengthening ideological discipline and maintaining unwavering allegiance to the Communist Party of China . According to state media reports, he urged the military to make full use of its political system to ensure unity, discipline, and loyalty within the ranks.

The meeting was Xi’s first with military representatives since the dismissal of several senior commanders earlier this year, including Zhang Youxia , who had served as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) the body that oversees the country’s armed forces and is chaired by Xi himself. The reported removals significantly reduced the active membership of the commission, highlighting an ongoing effort to tighten control over the military leadership.

During the parliamentary session, Zhang Shengmin , the CMC’s discipline chief, also addressed military delegates, urging them to “resolutely obey the command of President Xi Jinping” . He also called for stronger anti-corruption measures, tighter party discipline, and greater combat readiness to protect China’s sovereignty and security interests. The remarks come amid an ongoing crackdown within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) that has seen several senior commanders removed over corruption and disciplinary violations.

Among those targeted was Zhang Youxia , a General and former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission , who was dismissed earlier this year. In recent years, other high-ranking figures such as former defence ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe have also been expelled from the Communist Party of China over corruption allegations. The investigations have particularly affected officers linked to key strategic units, reflecting Beijing’s push to tighten political control and discipline within the armed forces.

The military delegation attending the parliamentary meetings was reportedly reduced from 281 to 243 members , reflecting the removal of officers accused of corruption, indiscipline, and failing to adhere to party leadership.

Despite the internal shake-up, China recently raised its defence budget by seven per cent to about 1.91 trillion yuan (USD 277 billion) as part of its broader push to modernise the armed forces and narrow the capability gap with the United States.