China has removed General Zhao Zongqi, the former commander of the PLA Western Theatre Command, from the country’s top political advisory body — a move seen as significant for India given Zhao’s central role in the Doklam (2017) and Galwan (2020) confrontations. Zhao’s removal comes amid President Xi Jinping’s sweeping campaign targeting corruption and disloyalty within the military, according to reports citing Reuters.
Zhao, who became the first commander of the reorganised Western Theatre Command in February 2016, oversaw Chinese military operations across Tibet, Xinjiang, and much of the India–China border. Under his leadership, Chinese troops attempted to extend a road in the Doklam plateau near the India‑China‑Bhutan trijunction, triggering a 72‑day standoff with India. Despite the disengagement, Zhao continued to rise politically, remaining a member of the Communist Party’s Central Committee.
He was also heading the Western Theatre Command during the Galwan Valley clash, where China officially acknowledged four PLA deaths, though later assessments — including a US intelligence report referenced by India Today — suggested casualties were significantly higher. The same assessment alleged Zhao authorised the operation to project Chinese strength and send a warning to India.
Zhao has now been stripped of his membership in the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and removed from two additional positions. Beijing has not provided a reason for the decision or indicated whether Zhao is under investigation.