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As China’s most significant annual political event approaches, attention is drawn to a noticeable reduction in the military delegation attending the rubber-stamp parliament. President Xi Jinping’s ongoing anti-corruption drives contribute to this shrinking size. This year’s plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC), which kicks off on Wednesday, will see 267 military delegates—a reduction from the previous 281 in 2023, with 14 members removed due to corruption probes.
From the original 2,997 delegates appointed to the NPC in 2023, 2,942 remain. The military delegation, which includes members from the People’s Liberation Army and the People’s Armed Police, has experienced a more significant reduction than any other represented provincial, governmental, or industrial sector at both the NPC and the advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), as analyzed by reviewing official lists and media reports.
This trend highlights that Xi’s stringent measures against what the Communist Party labels “discipline violations” disproportionately affect the military compared to other societal sectors. These anti-corruption efforts coincide with a focus on economic matters in this year’s “two sessions”—the annual gatherings of the CPPCC and NPC.
Concerns mount in Beijing as the ongoing tension with the US suggests rising tariffs could impact China’s export surge, which has been a counterbalance to a declining domestic property market over the past two years. Meanwhile, China’s leadership is anticipated to set an ambitious GDP growth target of 5% for the year, driven by increased stimulus initiatives.
However, the removal of military personnel underscores Xi’s strategic long-term goal of refining China’s military prowess as it vies with the US for influence over Taiwan and the South China Sea. According to Lin Ying-yu, a professor specializing in Chinese military studies at Taiwan’s Tamkang University, “The decreased size of the military delegation won’t affect the NPC’s proceedings, but it certainly emphasizes Xi’s relentless effort to maintain control over the armed forces.”
This year’s key military events include a proposed increase in official military spending in the budget to be presented on March 5, as well as a scheduled address by Xi to military delegates on March 7. Despite the upheaval at the top military levels, the anti-corruption movement hasn’t hindered the army’s operational efficiency or pace, with a continued focus on Taiwan and expanding deployment areas further from China.
Last year, Beijing disbanded 10 military NPC delegates as Xi clamped down on the Rocket Force—responsible for missile systems, including nuclear—and the weapons procurement sector. Since then, four more high-ranking military officials have been ousted as NPC delegates amid ongoing investigations, including former Defense Minister Li Shangfu and former PLA Deputy Commander Deng Zhiping, both dismissed in September.
In December, Deng’s predecessor as PLA Deputy Commander You Haitao and former navy commander Li Pengcheng were also removed. Looking ahead to next year’s plenary session, the military’s presence is expected to further dwindle. Miao Hua, a key political figure in the military hierarchy, was caught up in the crackdown, leading to his suspension from roles within the Central Military Commission last November. Although there’s yet to be an official announcement of his removal as a delegate, it seems unlikely he will be present.
Observers remain alert concerning three other military delegates who’ve recently vanished from public view: Li Qiaoming and Wang Chunning, commanders of the PLA and People’s Armed Police, respectively, and Yuan Huazhi, the PLA navy’s political commissar, all absent from critical sessions in December and January, as noted in state media coverage.
