Beijing, China | January 26, 2026
Chinese President and Communist Party chief Xi Jinping has carried out one of the most significant power consolidations within the country’s military in decades, effectively bringing the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) under his near-total direct control.
According to official information and international media reports, Xi has placed General Zhang Youxia, China’s most powerful serving military commander and one of his long-time trusted allies, under investigation—sending shockwaves through the PLA’s top leadership.
Biggest Shake-Up in Chinese Military Leadership Since 1989
International analysts describe the move as the largest restructuring of China’s military leadership since the 1989 Tiananmen Square period. Retired Chinese military officers and security experts suggest the action may go beyond corruption allegations and reflect broader concerns over loyalty, internal dissent, and emerging leadership challenges within the armed forces.
Investigation Against General Zhang Youxia
China’s Ministry of National Defense confirmed that General Zhang Youxia is being investigated for serious violations of party discipline and state laws. Zhang served as the senior vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and was widely regarded as the PLA’s highest operational commander.
He was also a member of the powerful 24-member Politburo, placing him at the core of China’s ruling elite.
A Trusted Ally With Deep Revolutionary Roots
According to reports by BBC and the Financial Times, Zhang Youxia was among the few senior PLA officers with actual combat experience, having participated in China’s 1979 war with Vietnam.
His political and revolutionary pedigree was equally significant. Zhang’s father was one of the founding generals of the Chinese Communist Revolution and had fought alongside Xi Jinping’s father during the civil war. This shared revolutionary legacy had long positioned Zhang as one of Xi’s most reliable military pillars.
Xi Jinping’s Expanding Military Authority
By removing such a senior and influential figure, Xi Jinping has not only disrupted the PLA’s top command structure but also centralized operational authority more tightly than ever before. Analysts believe this could have far-reaching implications for China’s military governance, internal discipline, and strategic decision-making.
