China expelled Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli — the PLA's two highest-ranking generals after Xi — from the CCP and military on September 21. Zhang, CMC vice chairman since 2017, was accused by Xinhua of leaking nuclear weapons program data to the United States. Liu headed the Joint Staff Department. The Central Military Commission has contracted from 7 members in 2022 to just two: Xi Jinping and vice chairman Zhang Shengmin. No Politburo-level military figure now sits between Xi and operational command.
1
Nuclear Intelligence Leak Allegation
Xinhua accused Zhang of leaking PLA nuclear weapons program data to the United States — the most serious military intelligence breach allegation in PRC history. Zhang served as CMC vice chairman from 2017 to 2022, second only to Xi in the military chain. The Politburo-level breach explains why this purge eclipses all prior Xi-era removals in severity.
2
PLA Combat Capacity Hollowed Out
Since 2023, at least 11 generals and lieutenant generals have been removed, including former Defense Minister Li Shangfu and multiple Rocket Force commanders. Military analysts assess the PLA's joint operations command capacity as significantly degraded. The purge inadvertently extends Taiwan's preparation runway — Xi's fear of a coup may be lowering invasion readiness.
3
CMC at Two: One-Man Command Risk
A two-man CMC means Xi depends on a single deputy — Zhang Shengmin — for the entire military command. Historically, over-centralized command structures correlate with strategic miscalculation. U.S. intelligence has assessed PRC nuclear posture as less predictable under this arrangement. Xi traded institutional balance for personal control.
Xi commands unconditional loyalty. Whether that loyalty translates to battlefield capacity against a U.S.-backed adversary remains the open question.
Sources
- ✓ National Interest — PLA Purge: Xi Jinping Fires Two More Chinese Generals — September 24, 2026
- ✓ Vision Times — China Expels Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli From Communist Party and Military — September 21, 2026
- ✓ Modern Diplomacy — China's Military Purges Raise a Bigger Question: Can the PLA Fight a Major War? — September 24, 2026