China’s Military Modernization and Leadership Purge
China is simultaneously working to modernize its military to compete with the US armed forces while conducting an aggressive purge of high-ranking officials. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has faced significant disruption due to a large-scale anti-corruption initiative spearheaded by President Xi Jinping. The scrutiny on military leadership has intensified following the investigation of one of China’s top generals.
The latest upheavals within the world’s largest and one of the most powerful militaries cast doubt on its leadership structure and operational readiness. Recently, the Chinese defense ministry revealed that Gen. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Liu Zhenli, the chief of staff of the commission’s joint staff department, are under investigation. Zhang, previously regarded as a trusted military advisor to Xi, is now embroiled in controversy.
According to a PLA editorial, Zhang and Liu have “seriously betrayed the trust and expectations” of both the Communist Party and military leadership, contributing to problems of corruption and political instability that threaten the party’s grip on military authority.
Analysts suggest that the allegations against the two men may imply challenges to Xi’s authority rather than mere financial misconduct. Their actions might reflect disagreements on military modernization plans, failures to meet expectations, or power struggles within the ranks. However, the opaque nature of the Chinese government might prevent the full extent of these issues from being disclosed.
The Wall Street Journal has reported that Zhang might have leaked nuclear information to the US, although Business Insider cannot independently verify this. Of the seven officials appointed to the Central Military Commission in 2022, only two remain in power. The purge has notably removed two defense ministers and purged nine top PLA commanders, indicating significant instability among high-ranking officers.
This marks a significant escalation in Xi’s anti-corruption efforts within the military. Experts have noted that his actions send a clear message across the ranks: no one is secure, regardless of their past relationship with Xi. The ongoing investigations might extend to other officials tied to Zhang and Liu, suggesting further shake-ups are possible.
The removal of experienced commanders may hinder coordination within China’s military, complicating complex operations, such as a potential conflict over Taiwan. While Xi may accept short-term setbacks for long-term political loyalty and discipline, analysts caution that the current upheaval poses challenges that could affect military effectiveness in the near term. The PLA’s capacity to project readiness may remain intact through large-scale exercises, but underlying disarray from leadership changes raises concerns for future operational success.
