Welcome to Foreign Policy’s China Brief.

This week, we’re taking an in-depth look into the purge of China’s top generals—and what this means for the future of Xi Jinping’s rule.

Welcome to Foreign Policy’s China Brief.

This week, we’re taking an in-depth look into the purge of China’s top generals—and what this means for the future of Xi Jinping’s rule.

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The arrest of Zhang Youxia, China’s top general, along with fellow senior general Liu Zhenli, has sent shockwaves through the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Accused of “grave violations of discipline and the law,” Zhang is the most senior figure purged under Chinese President Xi Jinping—and by far the most consequential.

Until recently, Zhang was widely seen as one of Xi’s closest allies. Xi appointed him first-ranking vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) in 2022, effectively the highest operational military post, since Xi himself chairs the body. The two men also shared long personal ties: Their fathers worked together, and they have known each other since childhood.

Xi has purged numerous generals under the banner of anti-corruption,........

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