Archive · 24 Sep 2026
China Military Purges Raise Questions About War-Fighting Ability
China has removed two very senior military leaders, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, from the Communist Party and the military.
The removals are part of a larger campaign against corruption and political problems.
Some experts think this gives President Xi Jinping more control over China’s military.
Other experts worry that replacing many commanders could make difficult military operations harder.
China is still testing weapons and holding military exercises.
It is also continuing deployments near Taiwan and disputed parts of nearby seas.
Zhang was the most senior Chinese officer with real combat experience.
Several important military jobs remain empty.
The changes may also make it harder for China’s military to work with foreign militaries.
The Politburo expelled military leaders Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from the Communist Party and military.
Analysts say the purges could disrupt war-fighting readiness while strengthening Xi Jinping’s control over the armed forces.
Five positions remain vacant on the Central Military Commission’s seven-member ruling committee.
China continues weapons tests, increasingly complex exercises and deployments around Taiwan and disputed seas.
Analysts disagree over whether short-term disruption could undermine complex operations, especially a potential Taiwan contingency.
- Who
- China’s Politburo, President Xi Jinping and the People’s Liberation Army; the expelled leaders are Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli.
- What
- The Communist Party and military expelled Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli during a continuing purge of senior military officials.
- When
- The expulsions were reported this week, while investigations into Zhang and Liu were first announced in January.
- Where
- China, with implications for Taiwan and disputed areas of the South and East China Seas.
- Why
- Chinese authorities cited political and corruption problems that threatened the Party’s control of the military; analysts also link the purge to Xi Jinping’s effort to strengthen control and discipline.
Concerns About Military Disruption
Arguments for Stronger Military Control
War-fighting readiness
Concerns About Military Disruption
Analysts say upheaval on this scale could create problems for complex operations, including a full-scale Taiwan contingency.
Arguments for Stronger Military Control
Other analysts say routine operations remain insulated from the turmoil and that the military can still execute orders through its staff, theatre commands, services and Party apparatus.
Effect of removing commanders
Concerns About Military Disruption
Replacing senior officers and leaving key posts vacant could weaken coordination and complicate military engagement with foreign countries.
Arguments for Stronger Military Control
Supporters of the purge argue that removing corrupt elements strengthens political cohesion, discipline and overall combat effectiveness.
Xi Jinping’s control
Concerns About Military Disruption
The purge’s political emphasis may show that the military is being directed primarily to serve the Party rather than the nation.
Arguments for Stronger Military Control
Analysts say the removals have strengthened Xi Jinping’s control over the military and, consequently, his authority over the wider party-state.
- Expelled leaders
- Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were expelled from the Communist Party and the military.
- Central Military Commission vacancies
- Five positions remain vacant on the commission’s seven-member ruling committee.
- Zhang’s combat experience
- Zhang Youxia gained combat experience during China’s 1979 border war with Vietnam.
- Continuing military activity
- China continues weapons tests, increasingly complex exercises and deployments around Taiwan and disputed seas.
- Initial purge focus
- The crackdown initially targeted corruption, including procurement involving the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force.
- Foreign military engagement
- The leadership changes may continue to hamper engagement between China’s military and foreign armed forces.