Xi Jinping’s Military Purge Deepens as Two Generals Expelled for 'Disloyalty'

Key points

• The Politburo approved the expulsion of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli on Monday, citing 'disloyalty' and 'dishonesty' to the party, as reported by Xinhua.
• Zhang, formerly the first vice-chair of the Central Military Commission, and Liu, the former chief of staff, were under investigation since January and removed from military posts in late August.
• State media alleged the generals engaged in corruption involving 'exceptionally large' sums and 'crossed red lines' of conduct, though specific crimes were not detailed.
• The expulsions occur just days before a summit between Xi and US President Donald Trump in Washington, and ahead of a major party assembly on internal governance.
• Analysts note that Xi has used anti-corruption campaigns to consolidate power, with 36 generals purged since 2022, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Background

This development follows a broader anti-corruption drive that has gutted China’s military leadership. In May, former defense ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu were sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve. The current purge leaves only two active members on the seven-member Central Military Commission, including Xi himself. Previous coverage highlighted how Xi’s consolidation of power has tightened control over the military, with the 2027 national congress expected to secure his fourth term as party leader.

How outlets are covering it

The Financial Times emphasizes the political nature of the purge, highlighting the 'disloyalty' charges against Zhang, who had personal ties to Xi, and Liu. Al Jazeera focuses on the anti-corruption crackdown, noting that no specific crimes were detailed and that the expulsions are part of a broader campaign involving thousands of officials. War on the Rocks provides a strategic analysis, arguing that the purge has hollowed out the People’s Liberation Army’s command structure, forcing Beijing to rely on a 'strategic stability' truce with the US to cover the military’s rebuilding phase. War on the Rocks also notes that the purge has led to a lull in large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, as the command chain is unproven. The outlets differ in their focus: FT and Al Jazeera highlight the immediate political and anti-corruption aspects, while War on the Rocks emphasizes the long-term strategic implications for US-China relations and China’s military readiness.

Why it matters

The expulsion of top generals signals a deepening of Xi Jinping’s control over the military, potentially affecting China’s strategic posture and its relationship with the US. The timing, just before a high-stakes summit with Trump, suggests that the purge may be intended to consolidate power ahead of critical negotiations. The hollowing out of the military command structure could also impact China’s ability to project power in the region, particularly in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.

What to watch

The case of Zhang and Liu will be handed to military prosecutors, and the expulsions will be ratified by the party’s wider central committee. The upcoming summit between Xi and Trump in Washington will likely address the implications of the purge and the broader US-China relationship. The military’s rebuilding process, which may take years, will be closely watched for signs of restored readiness and command cohesion.