Chinese President Xi Jinping has significantly ramped up his sweeping cleanup operation within the People's Liberation Army (PLA). On Friday, China's parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), officially revoked the parliamentary membership of six senior military officers. According to reporting from the Xinhua news agency, these officials were affiliated with the Eastern Theater Command, Western Theater Command, Ground Force, Air Force, Cyberspace Force, and the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC). While the government has not offered an official explanation for the removal of these specific figures, the move represents a major shake-up in the military hierarchy. Remarkably, the CMC now has only one active member remaining besides Xi Jinping himself, a situation that is unprecedented in the history of China’s modern military.
The Officials Removed
The individuals dismissed from their positions include Xu Xueqiang of the CMC’s Equipment Development Department, Wang Kangping of the Eastern Theater Command, Li Fengbiao of the Western Theater Command, Yin Hongxing of the Ground Force, Guo Puxiao of the Air Force, and Zhang Minghua of the Cyberspace Force.
A Purge Since 2023
Xi Jinping initiated a massive campaign against corruption and indiscipline within the military in mid-2023. Since then, two vice-chairmen of the Central Military Commission, three CMC members, a former defense minister, and numerous high-ranking generals have been ousted. Data released in February by China Power, a website tracking Chinese affairs, indicated that at least 36 generals and lieutenant generals have been officially removed since 2022. Furthermore, 65 other senior officers remain missing, with widespread speculation that they are either under investigation or facing dismissal. In total, over 100 senior military officers have been impacted by Xi Jinping's cleanup drive.
No Exception for Old Allies
Xi Jinping has shown a willingness to target even his closest associates in this campaign. Early this year, he launched an investigation into General Zhang Youxia, one of China's top military leaders and a longtime ally. Zhang and Xi both share family histories dating back to the 1949 civil war, and they have known each other since childhood. Even after rising to power, Zhang remained one of Xi’s most trusted military advisors for years. However, this action suggests that Xi will not compromise on loyalty or military readiness for any reason, no matter the personal history involved.
The Motivation Behind the Purge
Experts believe Xi Jinping is determined to ensure the PLA is fully prepared for war by 2027, the year the Chinese military celebrates its 100th anniversary. Reports in recent years have highlighted instances of severe corruption and technical failures within the PLA’s Rocket Force. Some claims alleged that fuel in missile silos was replaced with water, and various launch systems failed to function as intended, with some silo lids reportedly failing to open at all. These failures raised significant questions about the operational readiness of the armed forces, feeding fears that the Chinese military's arsenal might fail under pressure.
Significance for India
Among the six officials removed are two senior commanders with responsibilities concerning sensitive regions bordering India. Wang Kangping was linked to the Eastern Theater Command, and Li Fengbiao was part of the Western Theater Command, which oversees the India-China Line of Actual Control (LAC) along Tibet and Xinjiang. While this is primarily an internal matter for China, the move underscores Xi Jinping’s effort to consolidate absolute control over the PLA. Analysts suggest that while new officials will likely continue the existing policy set by Xi, the scale of these dismissals raises questions about the sheer extent of corruption hidden within the Chinese military establishment.
