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CDM's China expert on staff gave the following analysis of the recent purge of top military commanders by Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

"China’s top general Zhang Youxia, second in command only to Chairman Xi, was purged on Saturday, effectively bringing the PLA solely under the command of Xi himself. Zhang is the fifth official to be purged from the CMC (Central Military Commission; I.e. the PLA’s board of directors under direct control of the Party), which was reconstituted to have seven members in 2017. Liu Zhenli, Chief of the PLA’s Joint Staff Department, was also purged.

Xi Jinping's Purge

Zhang has been one of Xi’s oldest allies and most-trusted military allies. Both are descendants of the revolutionary generation—known as ‘Princelings’ in Chinese politics. Zhang and Xi’s fathers fought together in the Chinese Civil War and rose to senior levels in the Party. All of this is to say that Zhang’s purge is significant and could constitute the culmination of Xi’s monopoly of control over the CCP and now the Chinese military.

In terms of military readiness, Zhang and Liu’s purge will likely further damage the PLA’s military cohesion and readiness, especially in the face of preparation for a conflict with Taiwan. Liu was the head of the Joint Staff Department, which is the department responsible for core warfighting aspects of the PLA. Liu’s removal could effect the PLA’s ability to carry out joint operations, combat readiness and overall preparedness."

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