China's PLA Intensifies Crackdown on 'Training Fakery' Amidst High-Level Purges

PLA Targets 'Fake Combat Capabilities' to Enhance Readiness

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China has launched an intensified crackdown on 'fakery' in military training, a directive that gained prominence following remarks by General He Weidong, the third-ranked official in China's powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), in March 2024. This initiative is directly linked to a broader effort to improve the PLA's combat capability and comes amidst significant purges of high-ranking military officials.

Defining 'Fake Combat Capabilities'

The term 'fake combat capabilities' encompasses a range of deceptive practices within military training and procurement. It refers to 'fake' drills that fail to meet required standards, such as 'night exercises' being conducted during daylight hours. Furthermore, the crackdown addresses concerns over the procurement of flawed equipment and instances of deception among ranks during training exercises. These issues are seen as directly undermining the genuine combat effectiveness of the PLA.

Anti-Corruption Campaign and High-Profile Purges

The push against training fakery is unfolding against the backdrop of an ongoing and extensive anti-corruption campaign initiated by President Xi Jinping since 2012. This campaign has led to unprecedented purges at the highest levels of the PLA. In late 2025 and early 2026, investigations were announced into senior figures including CMC Vice-Chair Zhang Youxia and Chief of the Joint Staff Department General Liu Zhenli, for 'serious violations of discipline and law'. General He Weidong himself was reportedly removed from his post in October (likely 2025) amid corruption allegations. These purges are interpreted by analysts as a response to systemic concerns about corruption and loyalty, with a clear objective to enhance military readiness.

Xi Jinping's Emphasis on Combat Readiness

President Xi Jinping has consistently prioritized the combat readiness of the military, particularly as the PLA's battle capabilities have not been tested in recent decades. The current crackdown aims to remove 'stumbling blocks' to combat capability and strengthen the military's morale. The broader military reforms under Xi's leadership, which have been ongoing for nearly a decade, seek to improve the PLA's ability to achieve information dominance and conduct integrated joint operations. The ultimate goal is to modernize the PLA by 2027 and achieve parity with the U.S. military by 2049, with a particular focus on being prepared for potential contingencies, such as a conflict over Taiwan.