00:00China has removed 19 officials, including nine military leaders, from its list of lawmakers ahead of next week's key political
00:08session.
00:09No official reason for the removal has been given, though such moves are often tied to corruption investigations.
00:18Since coming to power, Chinese President Xi Jinping has launched waves of anti-corruption drives, calling gruff the biggest threat
00:27to the Communist Party.
00:28However, some critics say Xi, in his 14th year in power, uses the purges to remove rivals and tighten control
00:37over his top officials.
00:38The military has been targeted in recent years.
00:42Last month, Xi removed Zhang Yuxiao, one of his highest-ranking generals and close allies.
00:47This latest wave includes the commander of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force and a former Navy commander.
00:54The moves aren't expected to shake up next week's National People's Congress,
00:59which largely rubber-stamps decisions already made by the ruling Communist Party.
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