Xi's military purge is not really about corruption - Asia Times
China’s recent military purge under President Xi Jinping is being publicly framed as an anti-corruption drive, but deeper political motives appear to be at play. The removal of several senior People’s Liberation Army (PLA) officials points less toward financial misconduct and more toward tightening political loyalty. Analysts suggest Xi is reshaping the military to ensure absolute control ahead of long-term strategic challenges, including regional tensions and internal power consolidation. Rather than rooting out bribery alone, the campaign seems focused on eliminating factions that could threaten centralized authority. The purge also highlights Xi’s concern over military readiness, trust, and command discipline during a period of rising geopolitical pressure. By sidelining powerful figures, Xi reinforces his dominance over the armed forces, ensuring alignment with his leadership vision. This move reflects a broader strategy to strengthen personal authority within China’s political and military systems.
The Key points
- Military removals go beyond standard anti-corruption efforts.
- Xi Jinping is prioritizing political loyalty within the PLA.
- Purged officials held influential strategic positions.
- The campaign reduces internal military factions.
- Centralized control over armed forces is being reinforced.
- Concerns over military trust and discipline remain high.
- Geopolitical tensions increase the need for loyal leadership.
- Corruption narrative helps justify power consolidation.
- Long-term military restructuring is underway.
- Xi’s leadership dominance continues to expand.
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