Chinese President Xi Jinping met a delegation of the People’s Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police at the fourth session of the National People’s Congress, the first such meeting after the removal of two senior military officials, including Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia, in January, according to the Economic Times. A top PLA general called on the military to resolutely obey Xi Jinping’s command, the Economic Times reported.

In a speech at the Great Hall of the People during the Communist Party’s 105th founding anniversary, Xi emphasized the importance of a strong military and vowed to strengthen and modernise the armed forces, to uphold the party’s absolute leadership over the armed forces, and to stamp out corruption within the Communist Party, Dawn reported. He told party members, “We must advance the modernisation of national defence and the armed forces,” Dawn added.

Dawn noted that Xi’s anti‑corruption campaign has removed two defence ministers in the past three years. Times of India reported that anti‑corruption efforts have reshaped the PLA leadership structure and that Xi promoted two military officials to the rank of general.

Accounts differ on the current size of the Central Military Commission after the recent purges. Pakistan reported that the commission was reduced from seven members to just Xi and one other general, while another source said that after Zhang Youxia’s removal the commission had six members.