The sudden removal of two of China’s most senior military figures has thrown the country’s armed forces into uncertainty, raising fresh questions about internal power struggles and the potential impact on Beijing’s war-fighting readiness.
Over the weekend, authorities announced that Gen Zhang Youxia, one of China’s top generals, and Gen Liu Zhenli were under investigation, marking the latest and most dramatic episode in an ongoing purge of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Zhang, 75, had served as vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the powerful Communist Party body that controls the military and is chaired by President Xi Jinping.
Once composed of around seven members, the CMC has now been reduced to just two people: Xi himself and Gen Zhang Shengmin. All other members have been removed amid successive waves of detentions linked to what Beijing describes as an anti-corruption campaign.
The concentration of power is unprecedented in modern Chinese politics. The CMC oversees millions of military personnel and has historically been central to supreme authority in China. Deng Xiaoping, regarded as China’s paramount leader for years, held only the chairmanship of the CMC while ruling the country.
Analysts say the current situation points to deep instability within the PLA’s leadership. “The PLA is in disarray,” said Lyle Morris of the Asia Society Policy Institute, speaking to the BBC. He described the situation as creating “a major leadership void” and warned it could undermine confidence in Xi’s control of the armed forces.
Speculation has swirled around the reasons behind Zhang’s downfall, ranging from factional infighting to more extreme and unverified claims. Associate Professor Chong Ja Ian of the National University of Singapore said the lack of reliable information has fueled widespread rumors.
“Everything from leaking nuclear secrets to the United States to plotting a coup has been mentioned,” he said, adding that even talk of a gunfight in Beijing has circulated. “But what this episode really highlights is that Xi remains unassailable, and that tight information controls in Beijing create uncertainty and encourage speculation.”
Official statements have offered little detail. Authorities said Zhang and Liu were being investigated for “serious violations of discipline and law,” a phrase commonly used to signal corruption allegations. An editorial in the PLA Daily reinforced this message, stating that the Communist Party maintains “zero tolerance” toward corruption, regardless of rank or position.
The upheaval comes at a sensitive moment for China’s military ambitions, including questions over its readiness to confront Taiwan or engage in a major regional conflict. With much of the PLA’s top leadership removed, observers say the long-term implications for China’s military effectiveness and Xi’s grip on power remain unclear.
