Xi’s military purge intensifies: Top PLA general ousted from Chinese Parliament in disciplinary crackdown

In a key development from Beijing, General Miao Hua, one of the most senior figures in the People’s Liberation Army and a member of China‘s Central Military Commission, has been removed from his post in the National People’s Congress. The dismissal was formally ratified during a session of the NPC Standing Committee on April 30, 2025. It followed an internal investigation that began in November 2024 for what authorities described as “serious violations of discipline.” The phrase is routinely used by Chinese authorities to denote corruption-related offences, although no specific charges have yet been publicly disclosed.

The decision to expel Miao from the NPC reflects President Xi Jinping’s continued emphasis on rooting out corruption within the military. It also adds to a growing list of senior officers who have been either dismissed or placed under investigation as part of an intensified internal purge across China’s armed forces.

Who Is General Miao Hua and Why Was His Role Important?

General Miao Hua has long been a central figure in the political apparatus of the People’s Liberation Army. Born in November 1955 in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, Miao began his military career in 1969 and spent the bulk of it rising through the ranks of the PLA’s political structures. In 2014, he became the Political Commissar of the PLA Navy, and by 2017, he was promoted to Director of the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission. In this post, he oversaw ideological indoctrination, personnel decisions, and enforcement of party discipline within the military.

His role was integral to upholding Communist Party control over the armed forces, aligning the military’s operational focus with political mandates issued by the top leadership. Miao’s long-standing ties to Fujian province, where Xi Jinping also held early political roles, had earlier reinforced perceptions of Miao as a loyalist. That context makes his abrupt removal particularly notable, as it suggests even figures once considered politically secure are not immune to disciplinary action under Xi’s governance model.

How Does This Fit Into Xi Jinping’s Broader Anti-Corruption Campaign?

Since taking office in 2012, Xi Jinping has used anti-corruption efforts as a cornerstone of his political consolidation strategy. The campaign has touched nearly every sector, but it has taken on particular urgency within the armed forces, where previous leadership had allowed entrenched patronage systems to flourish. The PLA, as one of the most secretive and hierarchical institutions in China, has historically operated with little public oversight, making it especially vulnerable to internal corruption.

Miao Hua is the second high-ranking military official to be ousted from the Central Military Commission during Xi’s third term. His dismissal follows the removal of former Defence Minister Li Shangfu in 2024. That two such senior figures have been dismissed in quick succession signals a deepening of the purge and a redoubling of efforts to clean up the military’s highest echelons.

Analysts have interpreted these moves as part of a strategy to eliminate competing factions within the military and ensure that those in positions of power are not only loyal but also seen as clean. That Miao was still removed despite his perceived loyalty underlines the priority being given to institutional discipline over personal ties.

What Preceded the Dismissal and What Might Come Next?

The probe into Miao Hua reportedly began in November 2024, months before the formal announcement of his removal. His sudden disappearance from public engagements in recent months had raised questions among military observers, and rumours of internal investigations had circulated in defence circles.

His dismissal from the National People’s Congress means he no longer enjoys legislative immunity and may soon face further disciplinary or legal proceedings, depending on the internal findings. While no criminal charges have been announced as yet, the precedent from previous high-profile cases suggests that further action may follow, potentially including expulsion from the party and a public trial.

The event has also drawn renewed attention to the status of other senior military leaders. Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, General He Weidong, has not appeared in public since early 2025, fueling speculation about a broader ongoing purge. Although no official statement has been made about He’s position, the silence is being closely watched by analysts and foreign governments alike.

What Are the Domestic and Global Implications of This Military Shake-Up?

The removal of Miao Hua is significant not just as an internal disciplinary matter but also as a sign of the political climate within China’s military and administrative leadership. The PLA plays a dual role in China: it is both a conventional armed force and the ultimate guarantor of the Communist Party’s rule. Disruption within its top ranks could affect policy continuity and operational readiness.

Domestically, the dismissal may serve to reinforce Xi Jinping’s image as a leader intolerant of misconduct. It also acts as a warning to others in the leadership hierarchy that perceived loyalty is no longer a shield against corruption charges. For cadres across the government and military, the message is clear: compliance with party norms and discipline is non-negotiable.

Internationally, the removal will be watched as a measure of internal stability. The PLA’s rapid modernization and assertive posturing in the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, and the Indo-Pacific region more broadly have made its leadership structure of critical interest to foreign intelligence services and policymakers. Any signs of instability or realignment in the top military brass may factor into how other countries engage with China on defence and diplomatic matters.

How Might the PLA Be Reshaped in the Wake of Miao Hua’s Removal?

The dismissal of such a senior official opens up the possibility for a new wave of appointments across the PLA. It may usher in younger, professionally credentialed officers who have risen through more transparent and structured military promotion paths. At the same time, the ideological emphasis is unlikely to diminish. Political loyalty, reinforced through party training and surveillance, will remain a key selection criterion.

The PLA’s Political Work Department, previously overseen by Miao, will now be subject to a leadership change at a sensitive time. With ongoing reforms in military procurement, personnel training, and combat readiness, the integration of discipline and operational capability will likely be a renewed focus for the Commission.

Observers will also be looking for shifts in the messaging emerging from military publications and speeches, which often reflect internal trends before they become publicly visible through personnel announcements.

General Miao Hua’s removal from the National People’s Congress amid a disciplinary investigation marks a notable acceleration in China’s military anti-corruption campaign under Xi Jinping. The move highlights a zero-tolerance stance on misconduct within the armed forces, regardless of prior affiliations or seniority. It is likely to lead to wider structural changes within the PLA, both in leadership appointments and the internal party mechanisms used to ensure control and compliance.

Further developments, including potential criminal charges or additional dismissals, may unfold in the coming months as Beijing continues its efforts to reinforce discipline and assert centralised authority over the country’s military hierarchy.