Trending Now - Xi Jinping Stresses Military Loyalty Amid Anti-corruption Drive
WHO:
China's President Xi Jinping
People's Liberation Army
People's Armed Police Force
National People's Congress (NPC)
Xi Jinping, President of China
People’s Liberation Army (PLA)
People’s Armed Police Force
National People’s Congress (NPC)
Central Military Commission (CMC)
Xi Jinping, President of China
People's Liberation Army (PLA)
People's Armed Police Force
National People's Congress
Central Military Commission
Nine military officers (names not specified)
Three generals (names not specified)
WHAT:
Xi Jinping called for political loyalty in the military.
Xi stated, “There must be no one in the military who harbors disloyalty to the (ruling Communist) Party.”
The National People's Congress dismissed nine military officers, including two under the Central Military Commission.
Three generals were removed from China's top political advisory body.
Chinese leaders pledged a 7% defense budget growth for 2026 to about 1.9 trillion yuan ($270 billion).
The defense budget growth is slightly lower than the about 7.2% annual increase over the last three years.
Xi Jinping called for political loyalty in the military.
Xi stated, “There must be no one in the military who harbors disloyalty to the (ruling Communist) Party.”
Nine military officers were dismissed by the NPC, including two under the CMC.
Three generals were removed from China's top political advisory body.
A 7% growth in the defense budget was pledged for 2026, amounting to about 1.9 trillion yuan ($270 billion).
The number of NPC deputies from the armed forces decreased from 281 in 2023 to 243 in 2026.
Xi Jinping emphasized the need for political loyalty in the military.
He called for a continued fight against corruption.
The military purge has widened, including the removal of its top general in February 2026.
Nine military officers were dismissed by the National People's Congress.
Three generals were removed from China's top political advisory body.
A 7% growth in the defense budget was pledged for 2026, amounting to approximately 1.9 trillion yuan ($270 billion).
WHERE:
Beijing, China
National People's Congress meeting
Beijing, China
National People’s Congress meetings
Beijing, China
Delegation of China’s People’s Liberation Army and People’s Armed Police Force
National People's Congress
WHEN:
On March 7, 2026, Xi spoke at a plenary meeting.
The military purge included the removal of its top general in February 2026.
The National People's Congress dismissed military officers the week of March 1, 2026.
March 7, 2026 (date of Xi's remarks)
Last month (February 2026, when the top general was removed)
Last week (the week prior to March 7, 2026, when nine military officers were dismissed)
On Saturday, March 7, 2026, Xi made his remarks.
The military purge and dismissals occurred in early March 2026.
The removal of the top general occurred in February 2026.
The annual “two sessions” meetings of China's top legislature and political advisory body are taking place in March 2026.
WHY:
The anti-corruption campaign aims to reform and modernize the armed forces.
Analysts suggest the campaign is a way for Xi to remove potential rivals and ensure loyalty among subordinates.
Xi aims to ensure absolute loyalty among military subordinates and remove potential rivals.
The anti-corruption campaign is part of Xi's efforts to reform and modernize the armed forces.
Xi's anti-corruption campaign aims to reform and modernize the armed forces.
The campaign is also seen as a method for Xi to eliminate potential rivals and ensure loyalty among subordinates.
HOW:
Xi emphasized the need for “political rectification” within the armed forces.
The anti-corruption campaign has been ongoing for more than a decade.
Xi emphasized the need for “political rectification” within the armed forces.
The anti-corruption campaign has been ongoing for over a decade, targeting military and defense industry leaders.
The anti-corruption campaign has been ongoing for over a decade.
Dismissals of military officers and generals are part of the military purge strategy.
QUOTES:
“There must be no one in the military who harbors disloyalty to the (ruling Communist) Party.” - Xi Jinping
“There must be no hiding place for corrupt individuals.” - Xi Jinping
“The fight against corruption must be resolutely pushed forward.” - Xi Jinping
(UPDATED March 8, 2026 07:09 UTC)
In a significant move during a plenary meeting of the National People's Congress in Beijing on March 7, President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of political loyalty within the military, stating that there should be no disloyalty to the ruling Communist Party. As part of an ongoing anti-corruption campaign aimed at reforming and modernizing the armed forces, the Congress dismissed nine military officers, including three generals from China's top political advisory body. Additionally, Chinese leaders announced a 7% increase in the defense budget for 2026, bringing it to about 1.9 trillion yuan, which is slightly lower than the annual increases seen over the past three years.
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(UPDATED March 7, 2026 23:00 UTC)
In a significant address in Beijing during the National People’s Congress, President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of political loyalty within the military, stating that there should be no disloyalty to the Communist Party. As part of his ongoing anti-corruption campaign, nine military officers were dismissed last week, including three generals from China's top political advisory body, while Xi also pledged a 7% increase in the defense budget for 2026, totaling about 1.9 trillion yuan. Additionally, the number of National People’s Congress deputies from the armed forces has decreased from 281 in 2023 to 243 this year, reflecting Xi's efforts to reform and modernize the military.
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On Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Beijing, President Xi Jinping highlighted the importance of political loyalty within the military during the ongoing sessions of China's National People's Congress. He announced the dismissal of nine military officers and three generals as part of a widening military purge aimed at combating corruption and modernizing the armed forces, which included the removal of a top general last February. Additionally, Xi pledged a 7% increase in the defense budget for 2026, amounting to approximately 1.9 trillion yuan, while emphasizing that “there must be no one in the military who harbors disloyalty to the Party.”