Sunday, October 19, 2025-Chinese President Xi Jinping has dismissed the country’s second-ranking military official in what analysts describe as the most aggressive purge of China’s armed forces in years.
The removal of General Liu Qiang, who served as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, underscores Xi’s growing determination to root out corruption and consolidate control within the People’s Liberation Army. State media offered no detailed explanation, citing only “disciplinary violations,” fueling speculation of deep internal fractures within the military elite.
The move has sparked intense discussion both inside China and abroad. Online chatter on Chinese social platforms, though heavily censored, reflects anxiety over instability within the nation’s defense leadership.
International observers, meanwhile, see the purge as part of a broader campaign to ensure loyalty to Xi amid rising global tensions particularly with the U.S. and Taiwan. Western analysts note that multiple senior officers tied to China’s strategic missile and aerospace programs have disappeared from public view in recent months.
Xi’s decision could have far-reaching consequences for China’s military readiness and global posture. While the government insists the clean-up will strengthen discipline, the rapid turnover of top brass risks slowing key modernization projects.
The purge also sends a chilling message across the political landscape: absolute allegiance to Xi remains non-negotiable. As China projects power on the world stage, the question now is whether fear or reform will truly define the future of its armed forces.
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