By Li Deyan, Vision Times
In a recent speech, Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned that the armed forces must contain no one who harbors “disloyalty” toward the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The statement has fueled speculation and concerns among observers over possible power struggles within China’s top military ranks.
The remarks came during the Fourth Session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) meetings in Beijing, collectively known as the “Two Sessions.”
Simultaneously, reports emerged that military delegates attending the meetings were subjected to unusually strict security checks, including full body searches and metal-detector scans. Some analysts interpret the developments as signs of heightened political tension within China’s military ranks.
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A stern warning
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On March 7, Xi, who also serves as chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), attended a meeting of delegates from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the armed police forces.
State broadcaster CCTV footage showed only six PLA generals attending the session, including CMC Vice Chairman Zhang Shengmin, Defense Minister Dong Jun, Eastern Theater Command chief Yang Zhibin, Central Theater Command chief Han Shengyan, former Northern Theater Command political commissar Fan Xiaojun, and former Central Theater Command commander Yi Xiaoguang.
During the meeting, Xi emphasized the need for strict political discipline within the military. “The army is the armed force of the Party,” Xi said, adding, “There must absolutely be no individuals in the military who harbor disloyalty toward the Party, and no place for corrupt elements to hide. The fight against corruption must be advanced with unwavering determination.”
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Political commentator Li Muyang, speaking on his online program, argued that Xi’s phrasing, particularly the warning against those who “harbor disloyalty,” is unusually strong within the context of Chinese political rhetoric. “In the CCP’s political vocabulary, ‘harboring disloyalty’ often implies forming factions or attempting to split the leadership,” Li said.
Struggles within the PLA
Li suggested that Xi’s remarks may relate to recent developments involving senior military officials in China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). In January, Chinese authorities announced the downfall of CMC Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and CMC member Liu Zhenli, accusing them of serious violations of political discipline. The ousting of the two senior military officials sent shockwaves across China.
A commentary published in the PLA Daily at the time accused the two officials of “seriously undermining the responsibility system of the CMC chairman.” According to Li, Xi’s warning about “disloyalty” echoes that language. “The responsibility system of the CMC chairman means the final decision-making authority rests with Xi,” Li said. “If someone undermines that system, it essentially means refusing to obey Xi’s command.”
Li further argued that the accusations against Zhang and Liu suggest that the leadership believed they had formed factions within the military. Though Xi did not mention any names directly, Li said the comments appear to reference those events.
Absent delegates raise questions
Observers have also noted unusual changes in the composition of delegates attending the Two Sessions. The 14th NPC originally had 2,977 deputies, but the current list contains only 2,878 members, a reduction of 99 delegates, reportedly the largest drop since the Cultural Revolution.
The CPPCC has also seen a decline in membership. According to state media, 2,078 delegates attended the opening session on March 4, out of 2,125 expected participants. Altogether, the number of missing representatives across the two bodies exceeds 300 individuals.
Li said the absent delegates appear to include figures linked to both Xi’s political allies and rival factions, suggesting that internal political struggles may still be ongoing. One notable case involves Politburo member Ma Xingrui, whose name reportedly disappeared from the NPC delegate list even though authorities have not publicly announced any investigation.
Meanwhile, although Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were officially removed from their positions, their names reportedly remain on the NPC delegate list because the Standing Committee has not formally revoked their delegate status. “These unusual circumstances raise questions about whether competing factions within the Party are still engaged in political maneuvering,” Li said.
Extraordinary security measures
Security during the Two Sessions was reportedly also far tighter than usual. According to accounts circulated online, military delegates were subjected to multiple layers of security screening, including body searches and metal-detector checks. Some delegates were reportedly asked to remove their military caps during inspections.
Li said such strict measures indicate that authorities may be concerned about potential threats from within the military itself. “If the leadership believes there are many officers dissatisfied with Xi, especially within the armed forces, it would explain why such intense security measures were implemented,” he said.
The precautions were likely designed to prevent anyone from bringing weapons into the meeting venue, said Li. But security controls extended beyond the official meetings. During the Two Sessions, Beijing authorities deployed large numbers of security personnel around the Great Hall of the People, Tiananmen Square, and surrounding areas.
Social media posts claimed that even active-duty soldiers and military veterans visiting Tiananmen Square were subjected to strict identity checks and security screenings. One online user wrote that security personnel searched bags and asked numerous questions before allowing visitors to enter the square. Others said they were repeatedly stopped to show identification while walking near Chang’an Avenue, the main road running past Tiananmen.
Observers say the heightened security reflects a tense political atmosphere in Beijing. According to Li, the situation suggests that after the removal of senior military figures, Xi may still be concerned about possible backlash from within the armed forces.
