Xi Jinping’s Iron Grip: The Purge of China’s Military Elite
In the spring of 2023, a tableau of military might unfolded across China’s state media and podiums: Xi Jinping and his handpicked generals standing in unison, epitomizing a decade of reform at the helm of the world’s largest armed forces. As the paramount leader of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi had meticulously assembled a cadre of loyal officers within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the backbone of China’s defense apparatus. This leadership, forged in his image, was poised to project Beijing’s ambitions on the global stage—from Taiwan to the South China Sea. Yet, beneath this facade of solidarity, a seismic upheaval was brewing, one that would rattle the foundations of Chinese military power and underscore Xi’s unyielding quest for absolute fealty.
The roots of this turmoil trace back to Xi’s anti-corruption campaign, a signature initiative since his rise in 2012. While publicly framed as a crusade against graft and inefficiency, the drive has often masked a deeper purging of dissent. Loyalists and backers alike have not been spared; generals once trusted with Xi’s vision have found themselves exiled or worse. The Central Military Commission (CMC), China’s top military body chaired by Xi, has borne the brunt. Investigations into high-ranking officers have escalated, with allegations ranging from financial impropriety to ideological wavering. This isn’t merely housekeeping; it’s a recalibration of power, ensuring every command reflects Xi’s priorities—loyalty above all else.
Amid this wave, the dismissal of General Zhang Youxia in 2023 stands as a stark marker. As vice chairman of the CMC, Zhang was Xi’s go-to operational commander, a figure instrumental in wartime preparations. Together with General Liu Zhenli, who shared similar roles, their fall has drained the CMC of its battle-ready edge. Without these veterans at the helm, the PLA risks gaps in its readiness, casting doubt on Xi’s ability to swiftly mobilize forces for scenarios like a potential conflict over Taiwan. Analysts point to how such removals extend beyond individuals, signaling a systemic reorientation. The PLA’s doctrine, long shaped by pragmatic realists, now leans toward a more ideologically charged structure—one where personal allegiance to Xi trumps battle-hardened experience.
Perpetuating this pattern, the purges have infiltrated nearly every branch of the armed forces. The Rocket Force, custodians of China’s nuclear arsenal, has seen multiple senior officials ousted. Commanders in the navy and air force have similarly faced the axe, disrupting chains of command that once operated with clockwork precision. Theater commands, reformed by Xi in 2016 to streamline operations across regional fronts, have been hit hardest. The Eastern Theater Command, tasked with monitoring Taiwan, exemplifies this attrition. With several key posts vacated or reappointed, Xi installed a fresh commander late last year, hoping to inject vigor into a framework still reeling from prior upheaval.
The aftermath paints a portrait of a military in flux. Vacancies abound, with some positions lingering empty while inexperienced newcomers fill the void. This instability carries geopolitical weight; as China confronts rising tensions with the U.S. and its allies, a weakened PLA could temper Beijing’s assertiveness. State media, including the PLA Daily, has championed these moves as necessary, urging troops to embrace “short-term hardships” for a “stronger” fighting force. Yet, whispers from within suggest unease among ranks, where trust erodes and morale dips. Xi, at 72 and gearing up for another term—likely his fourth—as party leader, faces the urgent task of rebuilding command structures with vetted allies who embody his unshakeable control.
As Xi consolidates his legacy, the ripple effects of these purges extend far beyond barracks’ walls. They signal to a watching world China’s inward gaze under Xi’s stewardship, prioritizing internal cohesion over rapid modernization. Whether this upheaval ultimately fortifies the PLA or exposes vulnerabilities remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Xi’s military is evolving under his watchful eye, a testament to the leader’s relentless pursuit of dominance in an uncertain age.
