Xi Jinping's grip on power is tightening as China's top generals face the axe in a series of high-profile purges. Zhang Youxia, 75, and Liu Zhenli, another senior military leader, have been placed under investigation for "suspected serious violations of discipline and law", code for corruption. The moves are sending shockwaves through Beijing's inner circles, with analysts warning that Xi will stop at nothing to assert his authority.
As vice-chair of the Central Military Commission (CMC), Zhang was just two steps below Xi in China's military hierarchy. His removal from power reflects the ruthless nature of Xi's rule, where even trusted allies are not immune to suspicion and prosecution. The fact that Xi is purging his right-hand man in the military sends a clear message: loyalty must be absolute, and any hint of dissent will be crushed.
The investigation into Zhang and Liu raises more questions than answers. What specific allegations have they been accused of? How far-reaching are the investigations, and what other names might be implicated? As one analyst warned, "Corruption does not just happen overnight." The purge suggests that Zhang's downfall was linked to his promotion of Li Shangfu, a former defence minister who was kicked off the CMC last year.
However, some experts believe that power struggle is more likely than corruption. Dennis Wilder, a senior fellow at Georgetown University, argues that Zhang became too powerful and was therefore seen as a threat to Xi's authority. "This purge isn't about corruption, it's not about leaking secrets," he said. "It's about a general who became too powerful."
The implications for China's military buildup are significant. The US intelligence believes Xi has ordered the military to be ready to win a fight for Taiwan by 2027, making this a crucial year for modernisation. But with key generals purged from power, it is unclear whether the army will still have the high-level decision-making capacity needed to launch a sophisticated operation.
As one analyst noted, "It gives the US military more time to prepare for a Taiwan conflict." Others warn that the ousted men could be replaced by a younger, more aggressive lineup of officers who are unlikely to question their leader. The Chinese Communist party's control of the armed forces is central to its grip on power, and Xi will stop at nothing to assert his authority.
The investigations will likely not end with Zhang and Liu. Corruption is seen as a feature of the system, not a bug. "More arrests are likely," said Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore. As China's top generals face the axe, one thing is clear: Xi Jinping's grip on power is tightening, and his rule will be marked by ruthless efficiency and a zero tolerance for dissent.
As vice-chair of the Central Military Commission (CMC), Zhang was just two steps below Xi in China's military hierarchy. His removal from power reflects the ruthless nature of Xi's rule, where even trusted allies are not immune to suspicion and prosecution. The fact that Xi is purging his right-hand man in the military sends a clear message: loyalty must be absolute, and any hint of dissent will be crushed.
The investigation into Zhang and Liu raises more questions than answers. What specific allegations have they been accused of? How far-reaching are the investigations, and what other names might be implicated? As one analyst warned, "Corruption does not just happen overnight." The purge suggests that Zhang's downfall was linked to his promotion of Li Shangfu, a former defence minister who was kicked off the CMC last year.
However, some experts believe that power struggle is more likely than corruption. Dennis Wilder, a senior fellow at Georgetown University, argues that Zhang became too powerful and was therefore seen as a threat to Xi's authority. "This purge isn't about corruption, it's not about leaking secrets," he said. "It's about a general who became too powerful."
The implications for China's military buildup are significant. The US intelligence believes Xi has ordered the military to be ready to win a fight for Taiwan by 2027, making this a crucial year for modernisation. But with key generals purged from power, it is unclear whether the army will still have the high-level decision-making capacity needed to launch a sophisticated operation.
As one analyst noted, "It gives the US military more time to prepare for a Taiwan conflict." Others warn that the ousted men could be replaced by a younger, more aggressive lineup of officers who are unlikely to question their leader. The Chinese Communist party's control of the armed forces is central to its grip on power, and Xi will stop at nothing to assert his authority.
The investigations will likely not end with Zhang and Liu. Corruption is seen as a feature of the system, not a bug. "More arrests are likely," said Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore. As China's top generals face the axe, one thing is clear: Xi Jinping's grip on power is tightening, and his rule will be marked by ruthless efficiency and a zero tolerance for dissent.
... Like, I get it, corruption has to be taken seriously, but the way they're handling it just feels super suspicious to me 
. The fact that it's happening right after Li Shangfu got kicked off the CMC makes you wonder if there's more going on beneath the surface 
.
. You gotta wonder what he's thinking, and what's really driving this purge. Is it just about maintaining control, or is there something more sinister going on? 
... Not to mention the US and their plans to prepare for a Taiwan conflict 
. This just feels like it's getting more complicated by the minute 
.
. The military needs stability and trust, not just fear and intimidation 
.
. The writing is on the wall, and it seems like Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli are just the tip of the iceberg. A purge this big usually means that there's something much bigger brewing beneath the surface. Power struggles, corruption, or a combination of both? Whatever the case, one thing is certain: Xi Jinping is not going to let anyone stand in his way. The question now is, what's next?
. It sounds like Xi Jinping's trying to consolidate all the power under his belt, which is already kinda scary 
And if he's willing to take down some of his top generals just for being loyal to someone else... 
that's not exactly confidence-inspiring.
And meanwhile, we're supposed to be preparing for a potential conflict? 
. Is there really corruption involved here? Or is it more of a power struggle between Xi Jinping and his right-hand men? 
Either way, one thing's for sure: this isn't exactly good news 
.
and what's with this "suspected serious violations of discipline and law" code for corruption 
does anyone think xi will actually be able to get the job done or will he just be too busy trying to crush any opposition? 
I mean, who needs that many generals under investigation at the same time? 
it's like xi jinping is trying to create a list of people he doesn't trust, you know? 
like his right hand man just got axed and now everyone else is on high alert. 
are they accusing these guys of corruption or is it just about who's in charge? 
and what's the deal with this taiwan thingy? 
...
this dude Xi Jinping is really showing no mercy to his own people in the military 
and now it sounds like he's gonna crack down on whoever might be planning to take him down too 
.
.
. And honestly, can we blame Xi for wanting to prepare for a Taiwan conflict? It's not like the US has been playing nice either 
.
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. And now that Zhang and Liu are under investigation, it's only a matter of time before more high-ranking officials get the axe 
.
with two overlapping circles: "Corruption" and "Power Struggle". I think both are contributing to this purge, but in reality, it's probably just one big power struggle 
:
. One wrong move, and the entire system can come crashing down 
. Only time will tell who'll be the last one standing