China is facing a major military shakeup.
Beijing says two of its top commanders are under investigation for serious violations of discipline and law but analysts suggest it was an attempt by China’s top leader to get rid of disloyal members within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
On Jan. 24, China’s Ministry of National Defense announced that Zhang Youxia, a Politburo member and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and Liu Zhenli, a CMC member and chief of the Joint Staff Department, were under investigation for “serious violations of discipline and law.”
Zhang, second-in-command to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and Liu, the military’s chief of staff, were considered close allies of Xi.
The announcement was followed by a publication of sharply-worded editorial condemnation of both men by the People’s Liberation Army Daily. These words were rarely used against military leaders of their rank.
The editorial accused Zhang and Liu of undermining the authority of Xi as CMC’s chairman, endangering CCP’s ruling foundations, damaging the military’s political loyalty, corrupting its internal command systems, and harming combat readiness.
Since last year, dozens of senior officers, including Xi loyalists, have been removed. They included the other former CMC vice chairman He Weidong and former CMC member Miao Hua. These figures were previously viewed as close allies of Xi.
The CMC is now effectively down to two members from six, including Xi himself.
China current affairs commentator Li Linyi told The Epoch Times that the rhetoric appeared to lend indirect credence to long-circulating rumors that Zhang and Liu may have been involved in an attempted political move against Xi.
Du Wen, a former legal adviser to the Inner Mongolia government who fled China and now lives in Belgium, said on his Chinese-language YouTube podcast that it is widely believed Zhang and Liu attempted a coup against Xi under the banner of “saving the CCP.”
Du also alleged that Xi’s orders to the military were indicative of his fear of forces moving toward Beijing. They included confining the troops to their posts, cutting off external communications, and disallowing units to be redeployed.
