China Removes Top Generals From Central Military Commission, Leaving Xi With Shrunken Command
China has removed senior generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from the Central Military Commission over suspected serious violations, leaving just two active members on the body alongside Xi Jinping.
China has removed two of its most senior generals from the state Central Military Commission (CMC), further tightening control at the top of the armed forces while leaving an unusually reduced leadership lineup.
Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were dismissed from the CMC after investigations into suspected serious disciplinary and legal violations, according to official descriptions of the probes. Zhang was the highest-ranking uniformed officer below Xi Jinping, who chairs the commission. Liu headed the Joint Staff Department, a central operational post.
Their removal leaves just two active members on what was once a seven-member body, in addition to Xi himself. The CMC oversees the People’s Liberation Army, including its ground forces, navy, air force and strategic units.
The shake-up follows earlier investigations and dismissals in other parts of China’s military, including the Rocket Force and equipment sectors, under campaigns that authorities present as efforts to tackle corruption and tighten discipline.
For China’s military, the departures create sudden vacancies in top posts and raise questions about how quickly replacements will be named and what that will mean for decision-making at the highest level.
For other countries, the streamlined CMC highlights the degree to which China’s military chain of command is concentrated around Xi and a shrinking circle of senior officers. Observers are watching for further disciplinary announcements and for signals about who will be promoted into the empty seats, as indicators of how Beijing will manage future crises and long-term modernization plans.
Sources
- OSINT