A series of senior officials in China's ruling Communist Party, government and military have been removed from their positions following the fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), held late last month.

At the meeting, the party once again emphasized its commitment to full and rigorous Party self-governance, a policy aimed at combating corruption and enforcing strict internal discipline. Authorities have also been announcing the findings of misconduct investigations in succession.

The developments suggest that China's anti-corruption campaign is gathering further momentum, with authorities stepping up their scrutiny of senior officials.

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A cartoon published by the Chinese newspaper The Beijing News illustrates the authorities' tough approach to corruption and misconduct, depicting various forms of wrongdoing. /Courtesy of The Beijing News

According to Beijing-based sources familiar with China's political leadership on Saturday, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, announced the termination of nine deputies' mandates the previous day.

Four of the deputies were removed from their positions, while the resignations of the other five were accepted.

Those removed were Ye Jianchun, former deputy secretary of the CPC Jiangxi Provincial Committee and governor of Jiangxi Province; He Xiong, former deputy secretary-general of the Henan provincial government and director of its General Office; Ji Tao, party secretary and general manager of Hunan China Tobacco Industry Co.; and Huang Yi, chairman of Sichuan Tianfu Bank.

The five who resigned reportedly included four military figures — Zhang Gong, Guo Jianjun, Wu Yuhong and Meng Qingbin — as well as Xu Renbiao, former mayor of Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province.

The four military figures had all held the rank of major general and served in organizations including the navy, the Rocket Force, provincial military commands and the People's Armed Police.

Their departures have fueled speculation that they may have been implicated in misconduct.

However, the NPC did not disclose the reasons for their resignations or specify any allegations of wrongdoing against them. 

A Beijing-based source who previously held the rank of senior colonel in the Chinese military claimed that the officials had been involved in misconduct.

"Their involvement in wrongdoing is certain. It appears they will soon have to leave the military as well, and they are likely to face punishment," the source said.

The former officer described the latest investigations targeting senior party, government and military officials as unusually intense.

Rumors that further investigations are underway suggest that the atmosphere within China's political establishment remains tense.

Several prominent figures have been named in speculation about possible future dismissals.

One is Hu Chunhua, a vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, who was once considered a strong contender to become the CPC's general secretary.

Despite having previously been regarded as a potential successor to China's top leadership, Hu continues to be mentioned in unverified speculation about possible removal from office.

Some observers have even questioned his attendance at the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, although his presence at the meeting does not in itself establish any wrongdoing.

Defense Minister Dong Jun has also been the subject of rumors that he could lose his position.

Unsubstantiated allegations of corruption have fueled speculation that Dong may follow the path of his predecessor, former Defense Minister Li Shangfu, who was removed from office amid a corruption investigation.

Dong's relatively limited public appearances recently have also prompted speculation about his political future, although no official announcement has confirmed that he is under investigation.

Against this backdrop, some observers believe senior officials across China's party, government and military are increasingly anxious about the possibility of further disciplinary action following the conclusion of the fifth plenary session.

                                                                                                            Hong Soon-do