China Military Purges Raise Questions Over PLA Readiness and Command
The removal of senior Chinese military commanders is creating uncertainty around the country's top command structure, even as President Xi Jinping continues efforts to strengthen political control and military discipline.
China's latest purge of senior military leaders has intensified questions about the readiness and command structure of the People's Liberation Army. Two of the country's most senior commanders, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, were expelled from the Communist Party and military after investigations into alleged disloyalty, corruption and other disciplinary violations. Analysts say the removals could disrupt parts of the military hierarchy while strengthening Xi Jinping's control over the armed forces.
China's military has spent years undergoing a sweeping transformation designed to create a more modern and capable fighting force. At the same time, President Xi Jinping has conducted an extensive campaign against corruption and disloyalty within the armed forces.
The latest developments have brought the campaign directly into the uppermost levels of China's military command, raising questions about how the continuing turnover could affect the People's Liberation Army's operational readiness.
Two Top Commanders Removed
Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were expelled from the Communist Party and the military on September 21 following investigations announced earlier in the year.
Zhang had served as vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, China's highest military command body, and was second only to Xi Jinping in the military hierarchy. He had also been regarded as one of Xi's closest military allies.
Liu was a member of the Central Military Commission and had served as chief of staff of its Joint Staff Department, placing both men at the centre of China's military leadership.
The Central Military Commission is China's supreme military command structure. Recent removals have left several senior positions vacant, with lower-ranking or second-line officers increasingly taking important roles while the leadership reorganises the command hierarchy.
A Campaign That Has Reached the Top
Xi's military anti-corruption campaign began more than a decade ago and has affected senior officers across the armed forces.
The latest cases are notable because of the rank and political importance of the individuals involved. Previous investigations had already targeted former defence ministers and senior officers responsible for military procurement and other areas.
Chinese authorities have described the campaign as necessary to eliminate corruption, enforce discipline and ensure that the military remains firmly under Communist Party leadership.
What Does It Mean for Military Readiness?
Removing senior commanders can create short-term disruption in any military organisation. China's current situation is particularly significant because several senior positions remain vacant while replacements are being selected.
Regional military attaches and security analysts are therefore watching the pace of appointments and the experience of the officers being promoted into senior roles.
However, the existence of vacancies does not by itself demonstrate that China's military has lost the ability to conduct operations. The PLA is a large organisation with established command structures, trained personnel and extensive institutional resources.
The more immediate uncertainty concerns how quickly the leadership can rebuild its senior command team and whether the changes affect decision-making or coordination at the highest levels.
Taiwan and Regional Security
The leadership changes are being closely watched because China continues to modernise its military and increase activity around Taiwan and disputed areas of the South and East China Seas.
Taiwan is the most consequential potential military flashpoint involving China. Beijing claims the island as part of China and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve unification.
At the same time, Chinese military activity around Taiwan does not mean that conflict is inevitable. The situation remains shaped by deterrence, military planning, diplomacy and political calculations on all sides.
Control Versus Continuity
The purges create a tension between political control and institutional continuity.
For Xi, ensuring loyalty within the military is a central political priority. China's armed forces are ultimately controlled by the Communist Party, and senior officers are expected to demonstrate political loyalty to its leadership.
But maintaining an effective modern military also requires experienced commanders who understand complex operations, joint warfare and strategic decision-making.
The challenge for China's leadership is therefore not simply filling vacant positions. It is maintaining military effectiveness while reshaping the command structure around tighter political discipline.
A Military in Transition
China's military has undergone major organisational reforms under Xi, including changes to theatre commands, military services and command structures.
The current purge adds another layer of change. The replacement of senior commanders could take time, with Reuters reporting that several top appointments may not be finalised until 2027.
Until the new leadership structure is fully established, outside observers will have limited visibility into how the changes affect China's internal military decision-making.
China's military purge does not provide a simple answer about the PLA's ability to wage war. What it clearly demonstrates is that the country's top military command is undergoing significant change, creating an important period of uncertainty as Xi Jinping seeks both tighter political control and a more modern fighting force.
Global Security • China • Geopolitics • Defence
