Xi Jinping purges Chinese military elite over disloyalty fears
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 9
Xi Jinping purges Chinese military elite over disloyalty fears
11 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 9
At a recent legislative meeting, about 40 generals seen a year earlier had dwindled to only a handful as Xi warned officers against harbouring a "divided heart" toward the party.
The public warning signalled the upheaval was continuing and exposed one of the gravest political crises of Xi's 13 years in power, as even trusted military confidants have fallen.
The turmoil threatens Xi's decade-long drive to build a more formidable military, including aircraft carriers, hypersonic missiles and a growing nuclear arsenal, amid intensifying US-China rivalry.
Is China’s advanced military now a 'hollow force,' led by commanders too terrified to fight or speak truth to power?
Why is Xi dismantling the formidable military he spent over a decade meticulously building?
Xi Jinping’s 2025–2026 PLA Purge: Decapitating China’s Military Command and the Global Fallout
Overview
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has undergone an unprecedented leadership upheaval, with a significant purge accelerating in 2025 and early 2026. This campaign targeted high-ranking officials, including top general Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, leading to a major shake-up at the very top of military command. The purge has deeply impacted the Central Military Commission (CMC), effectively decapitating key parts of its leadership. As a result, foreign diplomats and security analysts are closely monitoring these developments, recognizing the profound implications for the PLA's command structure and China's military posture.