China President Xi Jinping Removes Top Officers From Chinese Military; What Is Reason For PLA's Decline?

New Delhi: Chinese President Xi Jinping made a major decision on January 19. He removed People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Zhang Youxia from his post on charges of leaking nuclear secrets to the US. This sort of military reshuffle by the Chinese government had never been seen before.

Who is General Zhang Youxia?

General Zhang Youxia was not only the highest-ranking military leader as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, but he also knew President Xi Jinping from school.

What is happening in China's military?

China's state news agency reported that the country's top legislature updated its list of PLA deputies, removing nine military officers. One of the top legislators removed was a general who had commanded the Chinese army against Taiwan. The second was an officer who led the People's Liberation Army's training department and was praised for modernizing combat drills The third officer served as China's chief military assistant to leader Xi Jinping for a long time.

These individuals are among the senior military officers in the Chinese Army who were once consistently promoted, but have been detained without reason over the past four years. Some officers have been fired or disappeared. The most significant change in the Chinese Army has been the removal of General Zhang Youxia.

In 2022, one senior officer disappeared. In 2023, 14 officers were fired or disappeared. In 2024, 11 officers disappeared.
This cleansing in the Chinese Army was a massive flood, with approximately 62 people removed until 2025. So far this year, approximately 11 officers have been absent from meetings they are normally expected to attend, suggesting that at least some of them may be in serious trouble. 

How long will this situation persist?

General Zhang Youxia's departure from the Chinese Army could also trigger investigations against officers associated with him. In the Chinese military, for every senior officer, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of lower-level officers whose careers are tied to that senior officer. The departure of any of these officers also jeopardizes the future of those below them. "I think the impact will last for at least two or three years," says former CIA analyst John Culver.