Xi Jinping's Military Purge Deepens, Top Generals Under Investigation

Senior Military Leaders Under Scrutiny

Chinese President Xi Jinping's extensive purge within the military leadership has reached its highest echelons, with two of the nation's most senior generals, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, announced to be under investigation. The People's Republic of China (PRC) National Defense Ministry confirmed on January 25, 2026, that both generals are suspected of 'serious violations of discipline and law', a phrase often used to denote corruption or disloyalty.

General Zhang Youxia, a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and effectively the second-most powerful figure in the military, had been a long-time associate and trusted ally of Xi Jinping. His removal has been described as a 'stunning fall' for a figure whose political lineage and loyalty once seemed unshakeable. General Liu Zhenli, who served as the CMC Joint Staff Department chief of staff, was also among the few senior People's Liberation Army (PLA) officers with combat experience.

A Broadening Campaign Since 2023

The investigations into Zhang and Liu are part of a broader and intensifying military purge campaign that has been underway since 2023. This period has seen dozens of senior officers targeted across various branches, including the CMC, the PLA, the Ministry of National Defense, and the People's Armed Police.

Notable removals include former Defense Minister Li Shangfu, who disappeared from public view in August 2023 and was formally dismissed in October 2023. He was subsequently expelled from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in June 2024 on corruption charges. His predecessor, Wei Fenghe, was also expelled from the Communist Party. The purges have also significantly impacted the Rocket Force, the branch responsible for China's nuclear and conventional missile arsenal, with its former commander Li Yuchao and other high-ranking officials being removed.

While officially framed as anti-corruption measures, analysts suggest the purges are primarily driven by Xi Jinping's efforts to consolidate power and ensure absolute loyalty within the military. The official PLA newspaper reported that the charges against Zhang and Liu involved 'severely trampling on' the CMC Chairman Responsibility System, which underscores Xi's ultimate authority.

Implications for Military Effectiveness and Stability

The ongoing purges have significantly altered the composition of the Central Military Commission, reducing its effective leadership from seven members to just two, including Xi Jinping and Zhang Shengmin, the CMC Commission for Discipline Inspection secretary. This unprecedented reduction in leadership raises questions about the PLA's operational capability and decision-making processes.

Experts warn that such extensive turnover in leadership positions could disrupt continuity in military strategy and training, potentially impacting China's defense capabilities and increasing the risk of miscalculation. The purges are seen as a reflection of Xi's 'distrust, anxiety, and a deepening fear that the armed forces may not be fully dependable in a crisis,' particularly as tensions over Taiwan intensify. The goal appears to be to reassert political loyalty before any major strategic test, even if it comes at the cost of short-term military effectiveness.