US EditionIn Graphics | How Xi Jinping Purged PLA's Top Generals
The investigation targets corruption among top military leaders, reducing the Central Military Commission to only two uninvestigated members, President Xi Jinping and discipline czar Zhang Shengmin.
- On Feb 2, Beijing announced a probe into General Zhang Youxia for `serious violations of the law`, while PLA Daily called them `corrupt elements` in a front-page editorial.
- Amid a broader anti‑graft drive, analysts say the move aims to consolidate Xi's control after Zhang and Liu missed a meeting chaired by Xi, sparking scrutiny.
- Tracing his career, Zhang is a 1950-born princeling whose father, Zhang Zongxun, is considered a founding general; he joined the PLA at 18 and became a CMC vice-chairman.
- The immediate effect is that Zhang Youxia's removal concentrates decision‑making on Xi Jinping as the sole voice on Taiwan policy, affecting arms procurement oversight within the PLA.
- Longer term, analysts say the hollowing out of senior PLA generals raises risks of miscalculation over Taiwan while enabling Xi to build a more loyal military leadership ahead of the expected 2027 Communist leadership shuffle.
12 Articles
12 Articles
In Graphics | How Xi Jinping purged PLA's top generals
Zhang Youxia, China's top general and close ally of Xi Jinping, was placed under investigation in January. But Youxia is hardly the only top People’s Liberation Army commander that has been purged by Xi in recent years. Let's take a closer look
Chinese President Xi Jinping continues his purging of the generals, evicting Zhang Youxia, and extends his control over the army, under the worried look of Taiwan.
What do Xi’s military purges mean for Taiwan?
Purges are a regular feature of life in the Chinese military, and they have now stretched all the way to the top: Gen. Zhang Youxia, the country’s most senior general, was arrested last week on corruption allegations. That leaves the People’s Liberation Army leadership unsettled and raises questions about Beijing’s designs on Taiwan.Zhang’s ouster makes leader Xi Jinping the “sole voice” deciding China’s path on Taiwan, said The Wall Street Jour…
DECRYPTAGE - The purging of the High Command testifies to the President's determination to modernize the People's Liberation Army, but also to resistance to its authority.
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