Unusual Moves in China’s Military: Growing Danger Posed by ‘Xi’s Absolute Control’ |
Editorial
14:58 JST, January 30, 2026
China has seen a spate of high-ranking military officials fall from grace. What on earth is happening? Instability at the core of one of the world’s leading military powers inevitably raises concerns, as it impacts security in East Asia.
China’s Defense Ministry has announced that it would investigate Zhang Youxia, a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and the military’s highest-ranking uniformed officer, and Liu Zhenli, chief of staff of the Joint Staff Department and also a CMC member, on suspicion of serious violations of discipline and the law.
The CMC is the supreme leadership body for the Chinese military, armed police and other organizations. It has been composed of seven members including its chairperson, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also........