Xi purges nearly all top generals ahead of fourth term
Xi has purged five of six generals from the Central Military Commission over two years, leaving one trusted ally.
Xi Jinping is consolidating power before his unprecedented fourth term as leader of China. It is due next year.
One sign is his purge of almost all top military leaders. General Zhang Shengmin, an anti-corruption enforcer, was promoted to the Politburo this week.
General Zhang Shengmin is now one of only two people on the Central Military Commission. It is the PLA's supreme decision body.
The other is Xi. Over two years, Xi removed five other generals he had hand-picked for the commission.
Since 2012, hundreds of officials have been removed or investigated for corruption. This week's plenum had record absenteeism.
Just 279 delegates attended, the lowest since the Mao era. Thirty-three officials were expelled, including a former Politburo member.
Xi warned that purges will intensify.
- 5 of 6 in two years
- Generals purged from commission
- Zhang Shengmin and Xi Jinping
- Remaining Central Military Commission
- 279 delegates, lowest since Mao era
- Party plenum attendance
- 33, including former Politburo member
- Officials expelled at plenum
Why it mattersXi is eliminating rivals and building total control over China's military and party before securing a fourth term, signalling no limits to his consolidation of power.
AustraliaChina's internal politics shape its foreign and military policy toward Australia and the region, including trade and security posture toward the Indo-Pacific.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
