Xi’s purges of Chinese military run deep, raising questions of readiness, think tank says
CNN • • world
Key Points:
- Chinese leader Xi Jinping has intensified a sweeping military purge since 2022, with over 100 officers, including 36 generals and lieutenant generals, officially removed or missing, as part of his anti-corruption and military modernization campaign.
- The purge has affected 52% of the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) top leadership positions, raising concerns about the military’s operational readiness and the experience level of remaining commanders.
- The reduction in experienced officers, especially among deputy theater commanders, has narrowed the pool of qualified leaders, potentially limiting the PLA’s ability to conduct complex military operations, such as a possible invasion of Taiwan.
- Despite these challenges, the PLA retains significant capability for less complex military actions like blockades or punitive measures
