By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Bloomberg reports that China’s President Xi Jinping has initiated the largest purge of military leaders since Mao Zedong, removing nearly a fifth of the generals he personally appointed. This has resulted in the smallest number of members on the Central Military Commission in the post-Mao era, raising questions about the implications of Xi’s actions. The purge follows concerns about corruption within the military, which has led to investigations and the ousting of high-ranking officers, including those appointed to key positions. With a major military parade approaching, the world is watching to see if Xi trusts his own generals, while also assessing the impact of the shakeup on China’s military readiness.
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Xi Unleashes China’s Biggest Purge of Military Leaders Since Mao, and the echoes of this are reverberating around the world. It seems Xi Jinping is undertaking a significant reshuffling of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), marking a scale of change not seen since the days of Mao Zedong. But what’s really going on here? Is it about cleaning up corruption, ensuring loyalty, or a bit of both? This is more than just a change in personnel; it’s a strategic move with far-reaching implications.
Xi’s primary concern, from what we can gather, seems to be a mix of control and efficiency. It’s about ensuring that the military is aligned with his vision and that it’s ready, willing, and able to carry out his strategic goals. Is this a sign of strength or insecurity? Well, it’s hard to say definitively, but the very act of such a large-scale purge speaks volumes. It suggests a desire to consolidate power and eliminate potential threats. It also hints at a lack of trust, as it seems he is moving people around to further his own agenda at the expense of the bigger picture. The fact that those purged appear to be generals he himself appointed over the last decade is telling.
The nature of this purge is also worth examining. We are hearing about firings, investigations, and possibly even imprisonment. The details are, as usual, shrouded in secrecy. But, the fact that it appears to affect a large number of people, including a reported 17% of the generals he appointed, suggests a very serious situation. It is an exercise in power, no doubt, and it leaves the military in a state of uncertainty. This all does seem like a move to ensure he has allies in the right places, in order to ensure any potential challenges to his authority are immediately dealt with.
The parallels to the old Soviet and current Russian military should be cause for concern. The reliance on loyalty above all else can lead to disastrous outcomes on the battlefield. The fact that China has not seen real conflict in decades raises the potential for an army that has a lot of people but not a lot of practical experience. This situation is something Xi will want to avoid at all costs. Any mistakes the Chinese army makes would be under his watch, therefore he is incentivized to make sure things are running properly.
Of course, corruption is a major factor. The old saying goes, “power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” and that seems to be the case here. Cleaning up corruption can increase efficiency and improve the readiness of the military. If this move is indeed an attempt to stamp out corruption, it could be seen as a positive step in the long run, if that is the goal. But the evidence suggests this is more about the political goals of Xi Jinping than quality control.
Another possible motivation is the need to ready China’s military for the possibility of a conflict, particularly with Taiwan. Xi may be clearing out those he deems incompetent or disloyal, while simultaneously preparing the country’s military for the modern world. We cannot ignore the possibility of Xi using his military leaders to secure his goals.
There is the political dynamic to be aware of as well. As the primary leader of the country, Xi is under constant pressure, both domestically and internationally. The high-profile meeting where former leader Hu Jianto was publicly humiliated is evidence of the fact that Xi is willing to take extreme measures in order to assert dominance. His vision for China is encoded in “Xi Jinping Thought” for a reason, it is a way for him to ensure he is revered the same way as Mao. This all points to a leader who is making sure there is no challenge to his authority.
This purge is significant for several reasons. First, it signals a continuation of Xi Jinping’s consolidation of power. Secondly, it has the potential to impact China’s military capabilities, either positively or negatively. Finally, it has implications for regional stability, particularly with regard to Taiwan. It is a demonstration of the authoritarian principle where the leader’s power takes precedence over all else. Time will tell what the outcome of this latest power play will be.