The Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress has removed Zhang Youxia from his position as vice chairman of the state Central Military Commission (CMC) and Liu Zhenli from his position as a CMC member. Both were also stripped of their National People’s Congress deputy positions. (See Chinascope briefing “China Formally Removes Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from Central Military Commission” (https://chinascope.org/archives/41186.))
The Epoch Times reported, citing sources familiar with the military, that the formal removals have triggered particularly strong reactions among retired military officers. One source said some retired officers were deeply dissatisfied, with some reportedly drinking at home while others refused to answer calls from their former units. Active-duty officers are reportedly more reluctant to express opposition openly because of tighter political controls, while retired officers have greater freedom to voice their views privately.
The report also claims that the military leadership anticipated resistance and took steps to prepare the PLA in advance. Before the NPC Standing Committee announced the removals, political commissars at grassroots units were reportedly instructed to organize study sessions on PLA Daily editorials that outlined the alleged crimes of Zhang and Liu.
Source: Epoch Times, September 3, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/9/2/n14841227.htm