Latest signs of corruption shake foundation of Xi’s ambitions

Global Watch | 2026-02-04

China's announcement that it is investigating Gen. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), marks one of the most significant purges in the history of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

Zhang was removed alongside Gen. Liu Zhenli, another senior military officer, leaving the CMC, China's top military decision-making body, with only one active member besides Xi himself.

This seismic shake-up is part of Xi's broader campaign to root out corruption and enforce loyalty within the military.

Since 2012, at least 17 generals have been removed from their positions, and the pace of purges has accelerated dramatically in the past two years.

While Beijing portrays these actions as necessary reforms, the reality is far more troubling -- the purges reveal deep cracks in China’s military foundation, raising questions about its readiness and stability.

Corruption runs deep

When Xi took power in 2012, the PLA was plagued by corruption so pervasive that it threatened the military's ability to function.

Officers were buying and selling ranks, siphoning funds meant for arms procurement and leasing military land for private property projects. Even military license plates were being traded improperly, allowing drivers to evade tolls and traffic laws.

Xi's initial reforms aimed to centralize control and modernize the military. He overhauled the command structure, reduced personnel by 300,000 and purged senior generals to break up patronage networks.

Yet, as military spending soared -- doubling to about $250 billion by 2025 -- new opportunities for graft emerged. Many of the officers and executives purged in recent years were involved in areas benefiting from this influx of state funding, particularly weapons development.

The scale of the purges is staggering. Since mid-2023, at least 60 senior military officers and defense-industry executives have been investigated, removed or replaced, the Wall Street Journal reported. These include top officers in the army, air force, navy, rocket force and paramilitary police, as well as commanders overseeing key theater operations, including those focused on Taiwan.

The turnover has led to rapid promotions for less experienced commanders, who are now tasked with stabilizing morale and enforcing loyalty across the rank and file. This instability is destabilizing for an institution that serves as the ultimate guarantor of Communist Party rule.

Implications for Taiwan

China's military purges have significant implications for its ambitions toward Taiwan. Beijing has long threatened to take control of the self-ruled island by force if necessary, and recent military drills around Taiwan have demonstrated its willingness to escalate tensions.

However, the removal of top military brass has left China's high command in disarray, making any immediate military escalation riskier.

Analysts suggest that the purges weaken China's threat toward Taiwan in the short term, as the PLA grapples with instability and a lack of experienced leadership.

China's military shake-up comes in the wake of Russia's struggles in Ukraine, which have served as a cautionary tale for Beijing. Despite spending billions to upgrade its military, Moscow has faced significant setbacks, including an abortive rebellion by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Xi's relentless purges clash with Beijing's rhetoric about a military on the rise. The PLA Daily has pushed back against the idea that the crackdown is making matters worse, insisting that the deeper the corruption is rooted out, the stronger the military will become.

Yet, the reality is far more complex.

The purges have exposed the PLA's vulnerabilities, from corruption to a lack of combat experience. China's military hasn't fought a full-scale war since 1979, and its readiness to execute modern warfare remains untested.

The instability caused by the purges raises questions about whether the PLA can effectively carry out Xi's ambitions, particularly as tensions with Taiwan and other regional powers continue to escalate.