Xi's purge hits PLA General who ordered Galwan ops to 'teach India a lesson'
General Zhao Zongqi, former head of the PLA's Western Theatre Command, has been removed from China's top political advisory body. His removal is widely viewed as part of President Xi Jinping's ongoing anti-corruption purge within the military.
Why it matters
The removal of a high-ranking official involved in border conflicts with India signals potential shifts in Chinese military leadership and internal political stability.
China has removed General Zhao Zongqi, who headed the Western Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) during the 2017 Doklam standoff and the 2020 Galwan Valley clash with India, from the country's top political advisory body. It was later reported that Zhao authorised the Galwan operation to "teach India a lesson".It is the PLA's Western Command that controls Chinese military operations across Tibet and Xinjiang and along much of China's border with India.Zhao was stripped of his Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) membership and relieved of two other posts. Beijing neither explained Zhao's removal nor announced an investigation against him.
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