China’s Ministry of National Defense has officially confirmed that it launched an investigation into two top military officials, beginning the latest China military purge targeting Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and General Liu Zhenli, Chief of the Joint Staff Department of the CMC. Both senior officers are accused of “serious violations of discipline and law.” In the political practice of China, such a formulation traditionally precedes large-scale anti-corruption proceedings.
Unprecedented Concentration of Power
Experts interviewed by The Washington Post and Financial Times indicate that these developments mark a historic moment in the PRC’s power structure. The removal of Zhang Youxia—the country’s oldest and most influential general—effectively completes the centralization of military leadership.
Currently, only two active members remain on the Central Military Commission (CMC), the highest body controlling the armed forces, one of whom is PRC Chairman Xi Jinping. This situation creates unprecedented, unilateral control over the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Historical Context and Scope of Purges
The scale of these personnel changes is comparable to the events of 1989. The current campaign began in October 2025 with the announcement of investigations into nine top officers. This effort is part of Xi Jinping’s long-term strategy to eradicate corruption, which he dubbed the “greatest threat” to national security immediately after taking office in 2012.
Western analysts believe that removing key figures from the rocket forces and staff structures points to a deep review of the command staff’s loyalty and effectiveness. They view these processes as a tool to eliminate potential opposition and definitively solidify Xi Jinping’s personal authority within the military establishment. For the international community, this necessitates a reassessment of engagement channels with the Chinese military command, as key decisions are now concentrated in the hands of the PRC’s highest political leadership.
