China has removed retired General Zhao Zongqi, the former commander of the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) Western Theatre Command, from key political positions in a move that has drawn attention in India because of his role during two major India-China border confrontations.
According to China's state-run Xinhua news agency, Zhao was removed from the Standing Committee of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). He was also removed as deputy director of the CPPCC's Committee on Ethnic and Religious Affairs and stripped of his CPPCC membership.
Beijing has not provided a reason for the decision and has not announced any investigation against Zhao. His removal is therefore being closely watched against the backdrop of a wider reshuffle and anti-corruption drive affecting China's senior military leadership.
Zhao's role in Doklam and Galwan
Zhao became the first commander of China's reorganised Western Theatre Command in February 2016. The strategically important command is responsible for military operations across Tibet and Xinjiang and along a large portion of China's border with India.
During his tenure, Indian and Chinese forces were involved in the 72-day Doklam standoff in 2017. The confrontation began after Chinese troops attempted to extend a road in the disputed Doklam area near the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction. Zhao was the senior PLA commander overseeing the India-facing theatre at the time.
Zhao remained in command when tensions escalated again in eastern Ladakh in 2020. The confrontation eventually led to the violent Galwan Valley clash on June 15, 2020, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed. China officially acknowledged four PLA fatalities.
A 2020 report citing a US intelligence assessment had alleged that Zhao authorised the operation that resulted in the Galwan confrontation. That claim has been reported as an allegation and was not cited as the official reason for his latest removal.
Removal comes amid wider PLA upheaval
Zhao's removal comes shortly after China removed two other senior military figures, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, from the state Central Military Commission following investigations into suspected serious violations of discipline and law.
The developments represent one of the most significant recent shake-ups in China's military leadership. President Xi Jinping has pursued an extensive anti-corruption campaign within the PLA since taking power, with numerous senior officers investigated, removed or expelled over the years.
However, in Zhao's case, Chinese authorities have so far offered no official explanation for the decision.
Zhao left the Western Theatre Command in late 2020 after reaching the standard retirement age and was succeeded by General Zhang Xudong. His removal from the CPPCC years after leaving active military command has nevertheless renewed interest in his career and China's handling of its border tensions with India.
