Purge of Generals in China: Only 7 of 30 Top Commanders Remain

Since early 2023, only seven of 30 senior Chinese generals and admirals have remained in their posts.

The New York Times reported this after analyzing coverage from Chinese state media and official government statements.

The removals have affected nearly all branches of China’s armed forces, including the Rocket Force and the Navy.

The purge of the military leadership, ostensibly aimed at combating corruption, has also targeted loyalty to Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The latest episode involves an investigation into Zhang Youxia, Xi Jinping’s first deputy on the Central Military Commission, as well as General Liu Zhenli, chief of the commission’s Joint Staff Department. Officially, they are suspected of “serious violations of discipline and the law.”

The Central Military Commission, which normally consists of seven members, has now been reduced to just two – Xi Jinping himself and General Zhang Shengmin. The remaining members were previously dismissed.

Zhang Shengmin, who oversaw the military purges, is now responsible for enforcing political discipline and loyalty. Last year, Xi Jinping promoted him to the post of vice chairman of the Central Military Commission.

The publication notes that the dismissals of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli have deprived the military commission of leaders responsible for preparing the armed forces for combat.

As a result, lower-ranking officers are now involved in planning major military operations, which could undermine Xi’s confidence in the combat readiness of China’s military.

Disagreements with generals

According to one version, Xi Jinping and Zhang Youxia disagreed over the timeline for the Chinese military’s readiness to invade Taiwan.

The Chinese leader insisted on achieving combat readiness by 2027, while the general argued for a much later timeline – 2035.

Xi Jinping has also removed dozens of other senior military officials in less than three years, an unprecedented move in modern Chinese history.