25 Senior Officials Removed — Comprehensive Purge of the “Disloyal” to Clear the Way for the 21st Party Congress

Comprehensive Purge of the “Disloyal” to Clear the Way for the 21st Party Congress

[People News] On February 6, 2026, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held its 46th Chairman’s Meeting and approved a list revoking the membership of certain 14th National Committee members. One name on the list was He Song, formerly deputy minister of the Central Military Commission (CMC) Logistic Support Department. His superior, Lieutenant General Zhang Lin, minister of the same department, had already been stripped of his National People’s Congress (NPC) delegate status six months earlier.

In CCP political language, being “revoked” or “dismissed” is very different from being “relieved of duties by agreement.” The former is a euphemism for falling from power; the latter implies a safe landing. This means He Song and Zhang Lin have effectively been officially declared to have “fallen.” In addition, former political commissar of the Logistic Support Department, General Guo Puxiao, is rumored to be under investigation.

Logistics Department Leaders Fall

The downfall of these logistics officials is particularly sensitive amid the investigations of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli. Zhang Youxia once headed the General Armaments Department, which historically overlapped with logistics functions. His father, Zhang Zongxun, once served as minister of the General Logistics Department. Zhang Youxia himself rose to general in 2011 and later became head of the Equipment Development Department.

Zhang Lin became head of the Logistic Support Department in 2022; He Song served as his deputy from 2021 to 2025. Whether they had ties to Zhang Youxia cannot be ruled out. It is possible authorities hope to extract information linking Zhang Youxia to further charges.

Before the Fourth Plenum in October 2025, Zhang Lin was officially reported as being under investigation for “serious violations.” Notably, former logistics chief Liao Xilong died on January 23, 2026 — just one day before Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were reportedly detained. The timing raised suspicions.

Natural Death or Silenced?

Liao Xilong had also fought in the Vietnam War and once served as Zhang Youxia’s superior in the Chengdu Military Region. His sudden death sparked speculation: did he refuse to cooperate? Or did he “know too much”?

Commentator Cai Shenkun claimed Liao’s son and brother were detained the day after Zhang’s arrest, and Liao died shortly after in distress.

Liao had also been named in overseas investigations related to alleged persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, including organ harvesting accusations.

Why So Many “Tigers” This Year?

Since January, at least 25 senior officials have been investigated or punished — more than usual. February alone saw more cases than the entire previous month. Among them are two vice–state-level officials, five ministerial-level officials, and many at lower ranks.

Observers believe this surge is tied to political preparations ahead of the upcoming “Two Sessions” meetings in March and, more importantly, the 21st Party Congress next year, where Xi Jinping is expected to seek another term.

To secure reappointment, Xi must ensure loyalists occupy key posts. Those seen as disloyal or aligned with rival factions are being purged under anti-corruption charges.

Independent scholar “Cui Kai” told The Epoch Times that the power struggle may continue at least through the March meetings, possibly until a major Party plenum later in the year.

A finance scholar in Jiangxi added that investigations are reportedly reviewing cases from 10 to 20 years back, covering judicial, financial, cultural, and regional systems — indicating a sweeping, system-wide purge.

Official CCP data showed 65 centrally managed officials fell last year; at the current pace, this year’s total could easily exceed 100.△