China removes former Western Theatre commander Zhao Zongqi from top advisory council

Zhao Zongqi was stripped of his membership in the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and two other roles, with no explanation offered. Zhao commanded the People’s Liberation Army’s Western Theatre Command during the 2017 Doklam standoff and the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, the latter resulting in 20 Indian fatalities. He was replaced as theatre commander in December 2020 after hitting the retirement threshold.

The move is part of a broader campaign by President Xi Jinping, who has also dismissed senior officers Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from the Central Military Commission, leaving only two active members besides himself. The purge targets high-ranking military leaders, theatre commands, weapons procurement and defence academies. Beijing has not announced any investigation into Zhao. The development signals Xi’s continued consolidation of control over China’s armed forces.