Xi’s anti corruption purge reaches top Chinese military commanders
The Chronify
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s long running anti corruption campaign has widened further inside the People’s Liberation Army, with senior active and retired officers absent from this month’s annual “two sessions” meetings in Beijing and growing scrutiny over the fate of some of the country’s most powerful military figures. Recent reporting says the sweep now reaches beyond procurement and internal administration into the upper command structure of the armed forces.
Among the most closely watched cases is General Zhang Youxia, one of China’s top military leaders, who was reported absent from the legislative gatherings after coming under investigation in late January for suspected serious disciplinary and legal violations. The Guardian reported earlier this month that Xi had placed Zhang under investigation, describing the move as highly unusual given his seniority. Al Jazeera also reported Zhang as one of the highest ranking figures caught in the latest phase of the anti corruption drive.
The latest developments point to a broader campaign inside the PLA as Xi pushes to tighten control ahead of the military’s 100th anniversary in August 2027. Al Jazeera reported that Chinese military documents and expert assessments show anti corruption work now ranks alongside political rectification and loyalty enforcement as a central priority for the armed forces. Analysts cited in the report said the new phase appears wider than earlier purges, reaching operational commanders, political commissars, theatre leadership and branches across the PLA.
The scale of the shake up has drawn attention across the region. According to Al Jazeera’s report, outside estimates suggest about 100 senior PLA officers have been purged or are potentially under scrutiny since 2022, including dozens of generals and lieutenant generals and many officers missing from key meetings. Experts quoted in the report said the removals raise questions about both corruption inside the system and Beijing’s concern over loyalty at senior levels.
The Guardian has framed the recent moves as part of a larger period of instability inside China’s military leadership. In separate March and January reporting, the paper said this year’s “two sessions” unfolded under the shadow of military purges and described Zhang’s downfall as part of increasing turmoil in the world’s largest armed forces. A January Guardian analysis also cited experts who argued the case may reflect an internal power struggle as much as an anti corruption effort.
Despite the internal upheaval, there is little sign yet that China’s military posture around Taiwan has been disrupted. Al Jazeera reported that analysts in Taiwan and elsewhere continue to watch the fallout closely, but said PLA exercises and joint combat readiness patrols have continued into 2026. The report added that Beijing’s latest government work report still signals Taiwan remains a core strategic priority, reinforcing concern that political purges have not weakened China’s military focus on cross strait pressure.
Xi launched his anti corruption campaign soon after taking power in 2012, presenting it as a drive against both elite “tigers” and lower level “flies”. Over time, analysts have argued the campaign has served both to discipline the party state and to remove rivals while centralising authority around Xi. Recent developments inside the PLA suggest the military remains one of the most sensitive and politically important fronts in that effort.
The latest developments point to a broader campaign inside the PLA as Xi pushes to tighten control ahead of the military’s 100th anniversary in August 2027. Al Jazeera reported that Chinese military documents and expert assessments show anti corruption work now ranks alongside political rectification and loyalty enforcement as a central priority for the armed forces. Analysts cited in the report said the new phase appears wider than earlier purges, reaching operational commanders, political commissars, theatre leadership and branches across the PLA.
The scale of the shake up has drawn attention across the region. According to Al Jazeera’s report, outside estimates suggest about 100 senior PLA officers have been purged or are potentially under scrutiny since 2022, including dozens of generals and lieutenant generals and many officers missing from key meetings. Experts quoted in the report said the removals raise questions about both corruption inside the system and Beijing’s concern over loyalty at senior levels.
The Guardian has framed the recent moves as part of a larger period of instability inside China’s military leadership. In separate March and January reporting, the paper said this year’s “two sessions” unfolded under the shadow of military purges and described Zhang’s downfall as part of increasing turmoil in the world’s largest armed forces. A January Guardian analysis also cited experts who argued the case may reflect an internal power struggle as much as an anti corruption effort.
Despite the internal upheaval, there is little sign yet that China’s military posture around Taiwan has been disrupted. Al Jazeera reported that analysts in Taiwan and elsewhere continue to watch the fallout closely, but said PLA exercises and joint combat readiness patrols have continued into 2026. The report added that Beijing’s latest government work report still signals Taiwan remains a core strategic priority, reinforcing concern that political purges have not weakened China’s military focus on cross strait pressure.
Xi launched his anti corruption campaign soon after taking power in 2012, presenting it as a drive against both elite “tigers” and lower level “flies”. Over time, analysts have argued the campaign has served both to discipline the party state and to remove rivals while centralising authority around Xi. Recent developments inside the PLA suggest the military remains one of the most sensitive and politically important fronts in that effort.
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