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China military purge under Xi intensifies

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-07-31 13:19 UTC → 2026-08-01 12:47 UTC · added removed

The anti‑corruption drive that began in early May 2026 has continued to reshape the People’s Liberation Army. After the removal of top commanders and the reduction of the Central Military Commission (CMC) to only Xi Jinping and disciplinary chief Zhang Shengmin, the campaign entered a new phase in early July. Xi presided over a ceremony in Beijing on 3 July 2026 that promoted veteran anti‑graft officer Zhang Shuguang and Air Force commander Wang Gang to full general rank. Zhang was installed as head of the CMC’s Discipline Inspection Commission, taking over from Zhang Shengmin, who was shifted to the CMC vice‑chairmanship. Wang Gang was formally appointed commander of the PLA Air Force, succeeding Chang Dingqiu. The promotions fill vacancies created by a sweeping purge that has removed more than a hundred senior PLA leaders since 2022, including former defence ministers, vice‑chairmen of the CMC and numerous high‑ranking generals. On 17 July 2026, Xi ordered the dismissal and disciplinary review of additional senior officers, most prominently CMC Vice Chairman Zhang Yuxia. The campaign now targets dozens of former vice chairmen, Rocket Force commanders and ex‑foreign and defence ministers, with reports indicating that more than 400 generals have been scrutinised since Xi took power. Observers note the unprecedented scope, describing it as an effort to eradicate an alleged “anti‑party group” while reinforcing Xi’s personal grip over the armed forces. The drive was reinforced on 31 July 2026 when Xi, speaking at At a Politburo Standing Committee meeting, called for an intensified anti‑corruption effort and study session on the rapid integration eve of the PLA’s 99th anniversary (31 July 2026), Xi again stressed the need to accelerate the military’s use of artificial intelligence, unmanned systems and cyber‑information networks into networked information technologies. He called for the creation of an “intelligent military system”. system,” emphasizing that combat capability remains the primary measure of modernisation.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-01 12:47 UTC China military purge under Xi intensifies
  2. 2026-07-31 13:19 UTC China military purge under Xi intensifies
  3. 2026-07-31 08:38 UTC China military purge under Xi expands

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