Two associates of President Xi Jinping were ousted from China's legislature as the paramount leader vows no mercy in his push to clean up the military. Zhang Youxia, former vice chair of the Central Military Commission, and Zhong Shaojun, former political commissar of the National Defense University, have been removed as lawmakers by the apex legislative body, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

The move signals an escalation in Xi's anti-corruption campaign targeting the People's Liberation Army. Both men were previously considered close allies of the president, making their removal a significant development in the ongoing military shakeup.

The National People's Congress Standing Committee announced the dismissals on Friday, though Xinhua provided no specific reasons for the ousters. The purge comes amid broader efforts to consolidate control over the armed forces ahead of key leadership meetings.