By Li Deyan, Vision Times
A sweeping purge across China’s armed forces has analysts and netizens abuzz over internal power struggles at the top of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Following the latest session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, multiple senior military figures were stripped of their delegate status, among them Qin Shengxiang, Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s first military chief of staff.
With two subsequent chiefs also reportedly missing from public view, analysts say the command structure of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) may be facing “systemic upheaval.”
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Senior generals removed
On February 26, 2026, the 21st meeting of the 14th NPC Standing Committee concluded with an announcement terminating the credentials of 19 delegates, including nine military representatives. Those affected spanned the Army, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, and Information Support Force.
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The list included Navy Admiral Qin Shengxiang, former Navy Political Commissar; General Li Qiaoming of the Army; Admiral Shen Jinlong, former Navy commander; General Yu Zhongfu, former Air Force political commissar; and Major General Yang Guang, commander of a key Rocket Force base, among others.
U.S.-based commentator Zhang Tianliang observed that the dismissals signal deeper fractures. “Following the removal of nine National People’s Congress (NPC) deputies in December 2023, the NPC Standing Committee removed nine more deputies in February 2026. After this meeting, the number of PLA deputies removed from their NPC posts increased from 27 to 36. In just over two years, 36 military NPC deputies have been removed from their posts, including 16 generals.”
Sweeping purges
Analysts note that the breadth of the purge, touching every major service branch, suggests more than isolated corruption cases. Blogger “Adam” wrote on X that the sweep across land, sea, air, rocket, and information forces indicates “The CCP’s command center for all branches of the armed forces has collapsed,” or that the PLA’s joint command center has “effectively collapsed.”
Zhang Tianliang argued that removing frontline commanders, including those overseeing Taiwan-facing units and nuclear deterrence bases, strikes at the military’s operational core. He contended that Xi’s emphasis on political loyalty over professional competence has weakened the chain of command.
According to Zhang, Xi’s criteria for advancement now rest almost exclusively on allegiance. “To put it bluntly, as long as Xi Jinping isn’t prevented from being re-elected at the 21st CPC National Congress, nothing else matters.” He suggested that combat effectiveness and command capability have become secondary considerations.
Xi’s military chiefs in trouble
The spotlight has intensified around Xi’s three successive directors of the Central Military Commission (CMC) General Office, effectively his personal chiefs of staff within the military.
The first, Qin Shengxiang (2012–2017), was officially confirmed as removed when his NPC delegate status was terminated. Born in 1957, Qin served as CMC General Office director and later Navy Political Commissar, rising to full admiral. Reports of his detention circulated in 2024 and 2025; his absence from major events, including Army Day commemorations, fueled speculation before the official announcement.
Zhong Shaojun (2017–2024), Xi’s long-time personal aide dating back to Zhejiang in 2002, has also reportedly disappeared from public view. Despite lacking prior military service, Zhong was elevated rapidly within the CMC system and eventually promoted to lieutenant general.
In 2025, overseas commentator Cai Shenkun claimed Zhong had been removed from his post at the National Defense University. Cai later wrote on X: “Zhang Youxia, Liu Zhenli, and Zhong Shaojun were arrested at the same time.” While the first two were officially announced as under investigation, Zhong’s status remains unconfirmed.
The third chief, Fang Yongxiang (appointed in 2024), has similarly been absent from multiple high-profile meetings. Fang, a career officer with experience in the 31st Group Army and the Southern Theater Command, missed several public appearances alongside Xi, prompting further speculation.
Observers also note Fang previously served under Miao Hua, former director of the CMC Political Work Department, who has himself been investigated. Whether their past working relationship carries political implications remains unclear.
Power struggle at the top
The removal of Li Qiaoming, reportedly a close associate of former CMC Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia, alongside Qin Shengxiang suggests that factional tensions within the military are ongoing. Some analysts interpret the developments as evidence of continued infighting between Xi and rival power centers.
As rumors swirl and senior officers disappear from view, the scope of the purge appears unprecedented in recent years. With Xi’s three successive military chiefs either confirmed removed or missing, the upheaval raises questions about stability at the PLA’s highest levels.
Whether these actions reflect a determined anti-corruption drive or deeper political realignment, analysts agree that the scale of disruption is extraordinary. If the current trajectory continues, the consequences for China’s military readiness, and for the balance of power within the CCP, could be profound.
Editorial note: Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Vision Times.
