Chinese President Xi Jinping publicly acknowledged a recent crackdown within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), removing General Zhang Youxia, a figure widely considered his closest military ally, according to remarks delivered on Tuesday. The acknowledgement, reported by the BBC, marks a rare public reference to internal military upheaval and signals a continuing effort to consolidate control over the armed forces.
Zhang, who served as vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), was removed in January, accused of “serious violations of discipline and law,” a phrase typically understood as a euphemism for corruption. Xi’s comments came during a virtual address to the PLA, where he described the past year as “unusual and extraordinary” and stated the army had “undergone revolutionary tempering in the fight against corruption.”
This latest action is part of a broader, ongoing anti-corruption campaign that has intensified in recent years, extending beyond civilian government into the military. In October 2025, nine top generals, including members of the CMC, were also removed as part of a similar crackdown, according to the BBC. The scale of the purges, with a record 65 “tigers” – high-ranking officials – detained in 2025 alone, as reported by the South China Morning Post, underscores the depth of the effort.
Analysts suggest the anti-corruption drive serves multiple purposes. Whereas genuine corruption exists within the PLA, particularly in procurement and promotion processes, the campaign also allows Xi to replace potentially disloyal officers with those more aligned with his vision for the military. One expert noted that, historically, promotions within the PLA have been linked to financial incentives, with officers effectively “angel-investing” in colleagues to secure future benefits.
The current campaign echoes a similar effort initiated in 2014, following a meeting at Gutian, a site of historical significance for the Communist Party’s control over the military. That meeting, reminiscent of a 1929 conference led by Mao Zedong, signaled a renewed focus on ensuring Party loyalty within the PLA. Since then, the CMC has been significantly downsized, now consisting of Xi Jinping and one vice-chairman, Zhang Shengmin.
The timing and rationale behind Zhang Youxia’s removal remain unclear. Some speculate that Zhang may have disagreed with Xi’s policies regarding Taiwan, but experts caution against drawing definitive conclusions, citing the opacity of the Chinese political system. The fate of purged military officials is also largely unknown, differing from civilian cases where trials and sentencing are typically made public.
Xi Jinping’s broader anti-corruption campaign has been a defining feature of his leadership, extending beyond the military to encompass the financial sector and other key institutions. Reuters reported on Monday that Xi emphasized the anti-corruption fight as a battle China “cannot lose.” The BBC notes that this approach, while ostensibly aimed at rooting out corruption, has also been used to consolidate power and eliminate political rivals. The long-term implications of this ongoing campaign, and its impact on the PLA’s capabilities and strategic direction, remain to be seen.
