# Xi's anti‑corruption purge widens and deepens > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/xi-jinpings-expanding-political-and-military-consolidation-in-2026 > Updated: 2026-09-05T05:00:47.000Z. Sources: 76. Developments: 17. The anti‑corruption drive that began in early May 2026 has continued to reshape the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the broader party‑state hierarchy. In late June, the National People’s Congress standing committee removed six senior generals, including Xu Xueqiang, signaling the purge’s reach into legislative bodies. A parallel report on 30 June documented investigations into senior officials such as former Zhejiang party secretary Yi Lianhong and emergency‑management minister Wang Xiangxi. By late July, Xi Jinping called for an “intelligent military system,” urging the PLA to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence and unmanned technologies while simultaneously demanding a stronger anti‑corruption drive and tighter supervision of defense projects. August 2026 saw intensified instability. The August 1 military reception underscored an eroded command structure, with only Defence Minister Dong Jun speaking and no CMC members attending. Subsequent celebrations on 4 August confirmed that 101 senior officers—approximately 52% of top posts—have been removed since 2022. Newly promoted leaders such as Zhang Shuguang, Wang Gang, Han Shengyan, and Yang Zhibin now dominate the senior command, though analysts note many newly promoted lieutenant generals are performing duties of full generals despite limited experience. On 28 August, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress officially removed CMC Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and Joint Staff Department Chief Liu Zhenli from the Central Military Commission. Both had been under investigation since 24 January 2026 for suspected “serious violations of discipline and law.” These removals, alongside the stripping of NPC deputy status from Zhang, Liu, and commanders Ju Qiansheng and Zhong Shaojun, have reduced the CMC's active membership to only two individuals: President Xi Jinping and Zhang Shangmin. By early September, the campaign has been characterized as the most significant removal of military personnel since the era of Mao Zedong. ## Claims - Authorities announced investigations into Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli in January. (disputed by 18 sources) - Investigations into Zhang Youxia began in January 2026. (disputed by 3 sources) - The investigations involve suspected serious violations of discipline and law. (corroborated by 20 sources) - The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress announced the removal of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli. (corroborated by 19 sources) - Zhang Youxia was removed from his position as vice-chairman of the state Central Military Commission. (corroborated by 18 sources) - Xi Jinping urged acceleration of integration of artificial intelligence and unmanned technologies in the Chinese military. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Combat capability is the main criterion for measuring military modernisation, according to Xi. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Xi called for strengthening anti‑corruption measures and supervision of major defence projects within the PLA. (corroborated by 12 sources) - China aims to complete basic defence modernisation by 2035 and achieve full transformation for the PLA’s centenary in 2027. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Xi emphasized the Communist Party’s absolute leadership over the armed forces. (corroborated by 12 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-05: Xi Jinping conducts major purges within Chinese military leadership President Xi Jinping has conducted extensive purges within China's military, removing top officials including Zhang Youxia to ensure absolute political loyalty and combat corruption. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/xi-jinping-conducts-major-purges-within-chinese-military-leadership ### 2026-09-02: Zhang Youxia removed from Central Military Commission China's National People's Congress has removed Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from the State Central Military Commission, signaling a major shift in military leadership and causing internal unrest. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zhang-youxia-removed-from-central-military-commission ### 2026-08-31: Chinese military leaders Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli removed from NPC roles China has removed high-ranking military officials Zhang Youxia, Liu Zhenli, and Zhong Shaojun from their National People's Congress deputy roles, signaling significant shifts in PLA leadership. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chinese-military-leaders-zhang-youxia-and-liu-zhenli-removed-from-npc-roles ### 2026-08-31: China dismisses top military commanders following Sino-Indian border talks China has dismissed top military leaders Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli amid corruption probes, following high-level border negotiations between India and China aimed at stabilizing the Line of Actual Control. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-dismisses-top-military-commanders-following-sino-indian-border-talks ### 2026-08-29: China removes Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from Central Military Commission China has formally removed CMC Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and CMC member Liu Zhenli from their posts following investigations into alleged violations of discipline and law. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-removes-zhang-youxia-and-liu-zhenli-from-central-military-commission ### 2026-08-27: China removes top generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from military commission China has removed top generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from the state Central Military Commission following investigations into suspected serious violations of discipline and law. 31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zhang-youxia-removed-from-chinas-state-central-military-commission ### 2026-08-12: PLA leaders Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli face investigation amid reports of military instability High-ranking PLA officials Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli are under investigation, amid reports of internal military factionalism and unverified claims of assassination or political purging. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pla-leaders-zhang-youxia-and-liu-zhenli-face-investigation-amid-reports-of-military-instability ### 2026-08-05: Xi Jinping's anti‑corruption purge targets senior officials ahead of 21st Party Congress Xi Jinping’s anti‑corruption drive may see former minister Lou Jiwei cleared while the Fifth Plenum could expel 20‑40 senior officials, including military leaders, ahead of the 21st Party Congress. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/xi-jinpings-anticorruption-purge-targets-senior-officials-ahead-of-21st-party-congress ### 2026-08-04: Xi Jinping reshuffles PLA leadership amid sweeping military purge Xi Jinping’s ongoing PLA purge has removed 101 senior officers, prompting new promotions of Zhang Shuguang and Wang Gang while senior commanders Dong Jun and others remain in place. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/xi-jinping-reshuffles-pla-leadership-amid-sweeping-military-purge ### 2026-08-02: Xi’s 14‑Year Military Purge Leaves PLA Leadership Shaken Xi’s 14‑year rule sees a major PLA purge; only Defense Minister Dong Jun attended the August 1 ceremony, highlighting the loss of senior CMC members and ongoing anti‑corruption drives. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/xis-14year-military-purge-leaves-pla-leadership-shaken ### 2026-07-31: Xi Jinping calls for accelerated AI and unmanned tech in Chinese military Xi Jinping urged the PLA to accelerate AI, unmanned tech and anti‑corruption measures, aiming for an intelligent military system by the 2027 centenary. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/xi-jinping-pushes-ai-driven-military-modernization-in-china ### 2026-07-17: Xi Jinping orders removal of senior military officials in sweeping anti‑corruption purge Xi Jinping has removed senior military officials, including Vice Chairman Zhang Yuxia, in a large anti‑corruption purge that targets dozens of top officers and signals deep power consolidation within the PLA. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/xi-jinping-orders-removal-of-senior-military-officials-in-sweeping-anticorruption-purge ### 2026-07-04: Xi Jinping promotes two PLA generals amid anti-corruption purge Xi Jinping promoted Zhang Shuguang and Wang Gang to full generals, filling key posts after a massive anti‑corruption purge that stripped the PLA of over a hundred senior leaders. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-promotes-two-generals-as-anticorruption-purge-reshapes-military-command ### 2026-06-30: China's 2026 anti‑corruption purge topples senior party, government and military officials China’s 2026 anti‑corruption drive removed senior party, government and military officials, including Yi Lianhong, Wang Xiangxi, Sun Shaocheng and top generals, amid accusations of serious disciplinary breaches 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chinas-2026-anticorruption-purge-topples-senior-party-government-and-military-officials ### 2026-06-27: China removes six senior generals from National People's Congress China’s National People’s Congress stripped six senior generals and other officials, marking the largest military purge in decades and tightening Xi Jinping’s anti‑corruption drive. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-removes-six-senior-generals-from-national-peoples-congress ### 2026-05-28: China's top military leaders placed under new anti‑corruption rules China's Central Military Commission introduced strict anti‑corruption rules for senior PLA officers, part of Xi's campaign that has already led to severe punishments and a reduced CMC leadership. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chinas-top-military-leaders-placed-under-new-anticorruption-rules ### 2026-05-09: Xi Jinping's crackdown deepens as trust in Chinese generals erodes Xi Jinping intensifies a purge of senior Chinese generals, shrinking military leadership and raising doubts about PLA modernization. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/xi-jinpings-crackdown-deepens-as-trust-in-chinese-generals-erodes --- Cite as: Xi's anti‑corruption purge widens and deepens. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/xi-jinpings-expanding-political-and-military-consolidation-in-2026