China has expelled three top-ranking military officers from the National People’s Congress, marking the latest developments in an ongoing anti-corruption campaign within the People’s Liberation Army. The Standing Committee of the NPC announced on Saturday that Wang Renhua, head of the Central Military Commission’s Political and Legal Affairs Committee; Zhang Hongbing, political commissar of the People’s Armed Police; and Wang Peng, director of the CMC’s training department, had all been removed from their legislative posts. All three remain full members of the Communist Party’s Central Committee.
The expulsions confirm speculation surrounding the generals, who had been absent from several high-profile events, including a PLA anniversary celebration in July and the party’s fourth plenum in October. Wang Renhua, 63, had been promoted to admiral in March 2024 and oversaw the military’s courts, procuratorates, and prisons. He previously held senior political roles at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre and within the PLA Ground Force, and served as the Navy’s chief anti-graft officer for the East Sea Fleet.
Zhang Hongbing, 59, had been promoted to full general in 2022 and served as political commissar of the PAP, following a tenure as political commissar of the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command. Wang Peng, 61, was appointed head of the CMC’s training and administration department in 2021, with a long career in frontline training roles and leadership positions at the National Defence University.
The NPC Standing Committee also announced the expulsion of former CMC vice-chairman He Weidong and senior political work official He Hongjun, both of whom had been removed from the Communist Party in October. Analysts say the moves are part of Xi Jinping’s broader effort to tighten control over the military and eliminate corruption at the highest levels, reinforcing loyalty within the PLA as China continues to expand its global military influence.
