China watching is especially vulnerable to coincidences that look like signals. General Zhao Zongqi’s removal is a case in point. General Zhao Zongqi headed the Western Theatre Command during the 2020 crisis and was also the commander who oversaw Doklam in 2017. Chinese state media has confirmed that Zhao Zongqi was removed from the posts of Standing Committee member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Deputy Director of the Committee on Ethnic and Religious Affairs, and that his membership in the National Committee was revoked.
– Prof Sriparna Pathak and Dr Nishit Kumar