China Removes General Linked to Doklam and Galwan Border Crises
What Happened
China has removed General Zhao Zongqi, the former commander of the PLA's Western Theatre Command, from the country's top political advisory body and other key positions. Zhao oversaw the PLA during both the 2017 Doklam standoff and the 2020 Galwan Valley clash with India. Beijing has not provided a reason for his removal or indicated whether he is under investigation.
Key Takeaways
Zhao's removal comes amid President Xi Jinping's ongoing military purge, which has targeted senior PLA leaders as part of a broader anti-corruption and loyalty drive. The move is notable for India because the Western Theatre Command is responsible for military operations along much of the India-China border, including Tibet and Xinjiang.