Beijing: This marks a major turmoil within China’s military, following news of the dismissal and investigation of high-ranking generals by the Central Military Commission. This latest purge of senior Chinese military officers is severely shaking the power structure of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), becoming a highly watched event. Dr. Arm Tangnirandorn, Director of the Center for China Studies at the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University, compared it to a “political earthquake” of magnitude 8-9 on the Richter scale. The clear fact is the dismissal of the highest-ranking military officer, considered the second-in-command of the army.
According to Thai News Agency, the person dismissed is Zhang Youxia, who was originally considered one of Xi Jinping’s closest and most trusted confidants, to the point that Xi personally selected him to work for him even after retirement. This dismissal is suspicious in several ways.
The speed of action is notable; unlike past dismissals where announcements often disappeared long beforehand, Zhang Youxia’s case unfolded very quickly, happening just a few weeks after her disappearance. Serious charges have been brought against Zhang, including “undermining the internal command system” and “nepotism,” which are interpreted as disobedience to or resistance against Xi Jinping’s authority.
Currently, the military’s top executive committee consists only of Xi Jinping and a few military officers in charge of regulations, who are responsible for dismissing others. This purge has created systemic fear because even the closest associates are not spared. Analysts believe it could lead to a situation where there are only “yes men,” or those who report only what the leader wants to hear, which could affect decisions on sensitive issues such as Taiwan or the South China Sea. However, Dr. Arm believes that the possibility of a counter-coup is very low, as the Chinese military structure is completely under civilian control.
The changes in the Chinese military and the technological advancement of robotics reflect internal power structures and preparations for competition in a new, uncertain world, which the entire world must closely watch.