Beijing is investigating the two highest-ranking leaders of its armed forces who had previously survived purges, a move that effectively places President Xi Jinping in sole command of the People’s Liberation Army.
Xi Tightens Grip on Military amidst Taiwan Concerns
The Chinese Communist Party is probing two top generals for alleged misconduct, raising questions about readiness for potential action against Taiwan.
- Generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli are under examination for “serious discipline violations and violations of the law.”
- The probes reduce the Central Military Commission to its smallest size in history, consolidating power under Xi Jinping.
- Analysts suggest the investigations reflect concerns about the PLA’s progress in achieving combat readiness, especially regarding a potential Taiwan invasion.
The Chinese Communist Party announced investigations into Generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, both vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the body that controls the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The stated reason is “serious discipline violations and violations of the law,” a common euphemism for corruption or political disloyalty within the CCP.
“This is the most stunning development in Chinese politics since the early days of Xi’s rise to power when he purged the general Officer Corps of those he feared would oppose him,” said Dennis Wilder, a former head of China analysis at the CIA.
Xi has been steadily concentrating his grip on the PLA for years. The current probe follows the removal of He weidong,a high-ranking general,last April. While some observers attribute thes purges to a crackdown on corruption, others believe deeper political factors are at play. The term “discipline violations” within the CCP often alludes to corruption,but is frequently used in factional struggles to eliminate rivals,a tactic employed by leaders from Mao Zedong onward.
As becoming China’s top leader in 2012, Xi has implemented restructuring and purges to enhance the PLA’s reliability and combat capabilities, aligning with his goal of establishing china as a global power comparable to the United States. The U.S. and Taiwanese governments report that Xi has directed the PLA to develop the capacity to take Taiwan by force by 2027.
Concerns Over Combat Readiness
The investigations “underscore Xi Jinping’s firm grip over the PLA, showing his willingness to purge senior commanders despite potential risks to institutional stability,” noted Tristan Tang, a non-resident Vasey Fellow at pacific Forum, a think-tank. Tang suggests the probes likely reflect anxieties about the PLA’s progress in building combat capability and the efficient allocation of defense resources.
“Although the PLA has advanced reforms in basic and combined training, joint training remains incomplete and resource intensive, raising questions about readiness for Xi’s 2027 Taiwan timeline,” Tang explained. “Corruption may emerge during the probes, but underperformance and failure to deliver credible combat readiness appear to be the core issues.”
General Zhang, 75, is a rare PLA officer with actual combat experience, having fought in the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War. His family shares a regional connection with Xi’s, and their fathers served together during the Chinese Civil War.He has long been considered a key ally of Xi in modernizing the PLA, owing to their shared revolutionary background and Zhang’s veteran status.
Zhang previously survived a round of Xi’s military purges focused on corruption within arms development and procurement, despite his leadership roles in weapons research and acquisition. However, since last year, Xi’s focus has shifted towards ensuring loyalty and political reliability among top military officials, making them more vulnerable to purges.
Both Zhang and Liu were notably absent from state media coverage of a study session on Tuesday, where Xi addressed top officials, including the party’s standing committee. Such disappearances from public view are often an early indicator that chinese officials are being targeted by investigations. These probes can extend for months or even years, typically resulting in detention, conviction, job loss, and expulsion from the party.
