General · 27 February 2026
China dismisses Ground Force chief, 18 others, ahead of assembly
On the eve of Beijing’s hallmark political sessions, China’s legislative standing committee has purged 19 delegates, signaling a major top-tier shakeup. The ousters hit the military especially hard, with Ground Force chief Li Qiaoming and former Navy head Shen Jinlong among nine uniformed figures stripped of their status. While official justifications remain under wraps, the timing suggests an accelerated effort to tighten executive control and finalize a loyalist military hierarchy before the 2026 assembly begins.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs