China has removed two of its senior military commanders, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, from their positions in the State Central Military Commission (CMC), marking a significant development in the country's ongoing military leadership reshuffle.

According to China's state news agency Xinhua, citing the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Vice Chairman of the State Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia and Chief of the CMC Joint Staff Department Liu Zhenli were dismissed from their state posts.

Zhang, one of President Xi Jinping's closest military allies, also serves as a member of the Communist Party's Politburo, one of China's highest decision-making bodies. Liu was also a member of the Central Military Commission.

Under investigation since January

Chinese authorities announced in January that both officials were being investigated on suspicion of serious violations of party discipline and the law.

China operates parallel military structures under the ruling Communist Party of China and the state. Friday's decision applies only to their positions within the state Central Military Commission.

The two officials have not yet been formally removed from their corresponding posts in the Communist Party's Central Military Commission.

Military leadership reshuffle

The dismissals represent a significant change within the upper ranks of China's military establishment following months of investigations into two of its most senior commanders.

The move comes as Beijing continues efforts to tighten oversight of the armed forces through disciplinary and anti-corruption measures.(ILKHA)