Top Command in Freefall (Image Credits: Media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com)
China – President Xi Jinping’s campaign to purge senior officers from the People’s Liberation Army has expanded far beyond initial estimates, ensnaring more than 100 generals and lieutenant generals since 2022.[1]
Top Command in Freefall
The investigation of General Zhang Youxia marked a stunning turn. As vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and Xi’s longtime confidant, Zhang ranked second only to the president in the military hierarchy. Authorities announced his probe for serious violations of discipline and law on January 24, 2026. General Liu Zhenli, head of the Joint Staff Department and another commission member, faced similar scrutiny last month.[2][3]
These moves left the commission with just two members: Xi as chairman and General Zhang Shengmin, a political commissar overseeing discipline. Of the six generals Xi appointed in 2022, only Zhang Shengmin remains. Observers described the development as the total annihilation of the high command. Replacements for such experienced figures will require years, given promotion cycles of three to five years.[1]
Unprecedented Scale Exposed
New studies from the Center for Strategic and International Studies and MIT-affiliated researchers quantified the purge’s breadth. Officials confirmed 36 generals and lieutenant generals removed since 2022, while 65 others vanished from public view or meetings. Together, they account for 52 percent of key leadership positions across the PLA.[3][4]
The CSIS database tracked removals in 176 senior billets, including Central Military Commission roles, theater commands, and service branches. Purges spiked in 2023 with 62 cases, followed by sustained action into 2025. M. Taylor Fravel, director of MIT’s Security Studies Program, called the figure striking and extraordinary, highlighting unprecedented churn.[1]
- 101 total senior officers affected (official and potential).
- 87 percent of 2022 generals or later promotions purged or probed.
- 68 percent from operational tracks, decimating command expertise.
- Retirement offered no shield; 11 faced action post-service.
Every Branch Bears the Brunt
The Rocket Force suffered the heaviest losses amid probes into corrupt nuclear procurement, including missiles filled with water. All four past commanders fell, along with deputies and commissars. The Army saw concentrated removals in 2024 and 2025, claiming two commanders, two political commissars, and four deputies.[4]
Navy and Air Force leaders also disappeared, as did figures from all five theater commands. Southern Theater endured the most, with its top posts vacant. Central Military Commission subsidiaries, like the Joint Staff Department, lost 17 seniors. No corner escaped: services, theaters, and support forces all registered hits.[3]
Cracks in Combat Preparedness
Experts warned of command gaps complicating joint operations. Only 11 of 52 critical posts filled, with 23 percent vacant. Taiwan-focused drills showed strain: a 2025 exercise delayed 19 days and scaled back, labeled a mere drill rather than full maneuver.[4]
Thomas J. Christensen of Columbia University noted Xi’s distrust deters invasion but not blockades. Short-term readiness suffered, though daily functions persisted via centralized systems. Morale likely dipped amid loyalty tests, yet the PLA continued modernization. Long-term, vetted leaders might sharpen focus, but experience shortages linger until the 2030s.[1]
Key Takeaways
- Purges ensure loyalty but erode operational depth across all PLA branches.
- High command vacancies delay complex missions like potential Taiwan scenarios.
- Xi’s control solidifies, yet rebuilding demands years of promotions.
Xi’s purge secures political reliability at the cost of proven commanders, leaving China’s military stronger in allegiance but tested in execution. As vacancies persist, the true toll on warfighting capability remains an open question. What do you think about these developments? Tell us in the comments.
