The abrupt removal of two of China’s most senior military figures has plunged the country’s armed forces into fresh uncertainty, intensifying concerns about internal power struggles and their potential impact on Beijing’s war-fighting capability.
Over the weekend, Chinese authorities confirmed that Gen. Zhang Youxia and Gen. Liu Zhenli are under investigation, marking the most dramatic development yet in a sweeping purge within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Zhang, 75, was one of the most powerful figures in the military, serving as vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) — the Communist Party body that exercises ultimate control over the armed forces and is chaired by President Xi Jinping.
The investigations have further hollowed out the CMC, which traditionally consists of around seven senior officials.
It has now been reduced to just two members: Xi himself and Gen. Zhang Shengmin. All other members have been removed in successive waves of dismissals and detentions linked to what Beijing describes as an anti-corruption campaign.
The concentration of authority in the hands of so few individuals is unprecedented in modern Chinese politics. The CMC oversees millions of troops and has long been the central pillar of state power. Even Deng Xiaoping, widely regarded as China’s paramount leader for much of the reform era, governed primarily through his position as CMC chairman rather than consolidating control so narrowly.
Analysts say the latest upheaval points to significant instability at the top of the PLA. Lyle Morris of the Asia Society Policy Institute told the BBC that the military leadership appears to be “in disarray,” warning that the removals have created “a major leadership void” that could undermine confidence in Xi’s command of the armed forces.
The lack of transparency surrounding Zhang’s fall has fueled intense speculation. Associate Professor Chong Ja Ian of the National University of Singapore said the absence of credible information has allowed rumors to flourish, ranging from factional infighting to extreme and unverified claims.
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“Everything from leaking nuclear secrets to the United States to plotting a coup has been mentioned,” Chong said, noting that even reports of a gunfight in Beijing have circulated. “What this episode really underscores is that Xi remains politically unassailable, while Beijing’s tight control over information breeds uncertainty and speculation.”
Official explanations have remained vague. Authorities said both Zhang and Liu are being investigated for “serious violations of discipline and law,” language typically used to signal corruption allegations. An editorial in the PLA Daily echoed this stance, reiterating the Communist Party’s “zero tolerance” approach to corruption, regardless of rank or seniority.
The shake-up comes at a critical moment for China’s military ambitions, including ongoing questions about its preparedness to confront Taiwan or sustain a major regional conflict.
With much of the PLA’s top leadership sidelined, observers say it remains unclear how the purge will affect military effectiveness — or whether it ultimately strengthens or weakens Xi Jinping’s grip on power.