Timed before October 20 Fourth Plenum; may signal Xi Jinping's power consolidation. First CMC general purge since Cultural Revolution (1966-1976).All nine: three-star generals, Central Committee members in key roles. Expelled for suspected financial crimes and discipline violations.Chinese Communist Party expelled nine generals in major crackdown. Defense ministry cites serious financial crimes; expelled from party and military.Presented as anti-corruption; possibly political, ahead of plenum on economic plans and new members.Officials and positions:
He Weidong: CMC Vice-chairman
Miao Hua: CMC Political Work Department Director
He Hongjun: CMC Political Work Department Executive Deputy Director
Wang Xiubin: CMC Joint Operations Command Centre Executive Deputy Director
Lin Xiangyang: Eastern Theatre Commander
Qin Shutong: PLA Army Political Commissar
Yuan Huazhi: PLA Navy Political Commissar
Wang Houbin: PLA Rocket Force Commander
Wang Chunning: People's Armed Police Force Commander
He Weidong: Second-highest after Xi; last seen March 2025; first serving Politburo member investigated.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy7528ekzro