China Ousts Three Senior Defense Industry Figures From Legislature
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File photo: (From left) Zhou Xinmin, Luo Qi and Liu Cangli.
China has removed three senior figures in its defense and nuclear sectors from the national legislature, including two top-tier scientists, signaling a widening dragnet in the country’s ongoing anticorruption campaign of its military-industrial complex.
The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress announced the expulsions on Wednesday following a one-day meeting in Beijing. The ousted delegates include Zhou Xinmin, the former chairman of the state-owned aviation giant; Luo Qi, a top engineer at the country’s primary nuclear power utility; and Liu Cangli, the former head of China’s nuclear weapons research academy.
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- China removed three senior defense and nuclear sector figures from its national legislature, including Zhou Xinmin (former AVIC chairman), Luo Qi (nuclear reactor expert), and Liu Cangli (former nuclear weapons research head).
- The expulsions are part of a broader anti-corruption campaign targeting China's military-industrial complex, with numerous high-level executives dismissed or investigated.
- Since March 2023, 78 delegates have been dismissed from the 14th National People’s Congress, lowering its membership to 2,897.
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Who’s Who
- Aviation Industry Corp. of China
- Aviation Industry Corp. of China (AVIC) is one of China's top 10 defense contractors, producing military hardware like fighter jets and helicopters. Zhou Xinmin, former chairman, was removed from the national legislature due to an anti-corruption campaign. He had a brief tenure, assuming the chairmanship in March 2024 and leaving in July 2025.
- Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China
- Zhou Xinmin, formerly a general manager at Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (Comac), later returned to lead the Aviation Industry Corp. of China (AVIC). Comac is an important Chinese aviation entity, and Zhou's prior role there highlights his career trajectory within China's state-owned aerospace industry.
- China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.
- The article mentions that a former chairman from the **China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.** was among several vice-ministerial-level executives from state-owned military conglomerates who have had their legislative credentials stripped as part of a broader anti-corruption campaign. The article does not provide further details about this specific individual or the company.
- China North Industries Group Corp.
- China North Industries Group Corp. is a state-owned military conglomerate. Its former chairman has been stripped of legislative credentials as part of a broader anti-corruption campaign targeting China's defense infrastructure.
- Aero Engine Corp. of China
- The Aero Engine Corp. of China (AECC) is a state-owned military conglomerate, one of the targets in China's anti-corruption campaign. Former chairmen from the AECC have been referenced as among the numerous vice-ministerial-level executives who have had their legislative credentials stripped.
- China National Nuclear Corp.
- The China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC) is China's leading nuclear energy enterprise. It ranks first among central state-owned enterprises. One of its senior leaders, Luo Qi, was among three figures removed from the national legislature amid an anticorruption campaign. Additionally, former general manager Gu Jun is under investigation.
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What Happened When
- March 2023：
- The 14th National People's Congress began dismissals, resulting in 78 delegates dismissed, 10 resigning, and 5 dying up to the time of reporting.
- March 2024：
- Zhou Xinmin assumed the chairmanship of Aviation Industry Corp. of China (AVIC), replacing Tan Ruisong.
- June 2024：
- Liu Cangli ended his tenure as head of the China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP).
- August 2024：
- Tan Ruisong fell under investigation for corruption.
- January 2025：
- Zhou Xinmin's last public appearance occurred at an internal AVIC meeting.
- March 2025：
- Luo Qi and former aerospace executive Xu Dazhe were absent from the presidium list for the annual legislative session, indicating early signs of Luo's downfall.
- July 2025：
- Zhou Xinmin left his post as chairman of AVIC.
- January 19, 2026：
- Gu Jun, a former general manager of China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC), was placed under investigation.
- February 4, 2026：
- The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress announced the expulsion of Zhou Xinmin, Luo Qi, and Liu Cangli from the national legislature after a one-day meeting.
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