Top China political advisory body ousts senior rocket researcher

BEIJING – One of the Chinese government’s top political institutions has removed a prominent rocket research chief, adding to the number of apparent purges in Beijing over the past several months.

The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference revoked the membership of Mr Wang Xiaojun during a meeting on Jan 29, the official Xinhua News Agency reported, without specifying a reason.

Mr Wang led the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology from June 2019 through at least mid-2023, but that group now lists someone else – Mr Zhang Zhongyang – as its chief.

The institute, affiliated with China Aerospace Science and Technology, touts itself as the nation’s oldest and largest base for the development, testing and production of missile weapons and launch vehicles, according to its official website.

Mr Wang’s removal from the CPPCC marks the latest sign of turmoil in China’s broader defence establishment.

Beijing has now unseated

at least 16 senior military figures

– including the highest-level defence official since 2017 – in the past six months. Their ousters have been left unexplained by China’s leadership, but come amid reports of graft probes in the People’s Liberation Army, and the Rocket Force, in particular.

Mr Wang, who obtained a doctorate in rocket engine from the National University of Defence Technology, had received multiple awards for his contribution to the space sector.

In an opinion published by the Communist Party’s mouthpiece People’s Daily last February, Mr Wang vowed that his institute would “forge the soul of loyalty” and “more closely rally” behind the party’s leadership with President Xi Jinping at the core. BLOOMBERG