Image Credentials: Image Title: Revolutionary Forging: Xi Jinping Breaks Silence on Massive Military Purges. Source: (sora.openai) Date: February 2026. Attribution: This image was created using AI-generated imagery (sora.openai) and does not depict a real-world scene.
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By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies
BEIJING — In a rare and high-stakes virtual address to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping acknowledged the unprecedented wave of corruption probes that has decimated the upper echelons of China’s military leadership over the past year.
Speaking on February 11, Xi described the period as “unusual and extraordinary,” claiming the military has undergone a “revolutionary forging” that has left the armed forces stronger and more politically aligned.
Xi Jinping’s so-called “self-revolution” purge has in reality dismantled the CCP military’s command and leadership structures at every level.
2026 will be the weakest year for the CCP’s party army. PLA is paper dragon consisting mainly of generals who got promoted through… pic.twitter.com/hkaJUxLx6Y
— Ken Cao-The China Crash Chronicle (@Ken_LoveTW) January 24, 2026
A Leadership in Shambles
The President’s remarks follow a series of high-profile “disappearances” and investigations that have effectively dismantled the Central Military Commission (CMC), the seven-member body that oversees the world’s largest army. What was once a robust committee has been whittled down to just two active members: Xi himself and a recently promoted vice-chairman.
The scale of the purge is historic:
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General Zhang Youxia: Once considered Xi’s most loyal ally and his second-in-command, Zhang was placed under investigation in January 2026. He is accused of leaking nuclear secrets to the United States and accepting bribes for high-level promotions.
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General He Weidong: The second CMC vice-chairman, expelled in October 2025.
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General Liu Zhenli: The chief of the Joint Staff Department, which oversees military operations and intelligence, was targeted in January.
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The Rocket Force: An unknown number of commanders overseeing China’s nuclear deterrence have also been removed, amid rumors of an attempted coup and systemic graft within the missile divisions.
“Commanding the Gun”
Political analysts suggest that the “revolutionary forging” Xi referenced is less about simple graft and more about an aggressive consolidation of power. By removing combat-hardened veterans like Zhang Youxia—who reportedly urged caution regarding military action against Taiwan—Xi is perceived to be streamlining the chain of command to ensure the Communist Party has absolute “command over the gun.”
“The military is undoubtedly dealing with immense uncertainty,” said Shanshan Mei, a political scientist at the RAND Corporation. “This is a blow to morale that could either stall Xi’s sights on Taiwan or, conversely, remove the last voices of restraint in his inner circle.”
Uncertainty on the Horizon
The timing of the purge is particularly sensitive. With the U.S. currently navigating its own domestic policy shifts and heightened trade tensions, the instability within the PLA’s command structure has drawn international scrutiny.
While Xi maintains that the “fight against corruption” has effectively addressed “various risks and challenges,” the empty seats at the head of the CMC suggest a military in the midst of a profound identity crisis. For now, the “unsinkable aircraft carrier” of the Chinese state appears to be steered by a single hand, as the President continues his relentless campaign to purge any shadow of dissent from his ranks.