The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has reportedly placed one of its highest-ranking military officers under investigation. The probe, confirmed today, Sunday, 25 January 2026, is being viewed as the latest, and perhaps most significant, strike in President Xi Jinping’s decade-long campaign to consolidate control over the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The investigation into the general, a key member of the Central Military Commission (CMC), signals a renewed effort to root out “disloyalty” and corruption within the upper echelons of the world’s largest military.
While the state media has yet to release the specific charges, analysts in Beijing and Hong Kong suggest the investigation focuses on suspicion of kickbacks involving China’s rapid naval expansion and the modernization of its nuclear arsenal.
Whispers of “clique-building” within the CMC, which is seen as a direct challenge to the centralized authority of the Presidency has also been cited.
This latest move follows the 2024-2025 reshuffling of the Rocket Force leadership, suggesting that the “cleansing” of the technical branches of the PLA is far from over.
The removal of a top-tier general at this level has immediate international consequences. It leaves a leadership vacuum at the top of the PLA which could temporarily slow down China’s strategic decision-making in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.
The purge suggests that despite years of consolidation, President Xi still perceives significant internal threats from within the “barrel of the gun.”
Western intelligence agencies are watching closely to see if the removal signifies a shift toward a more aggressive, or a more cautious military posture.
China’s Military Purge Timeline (2023–2026)
| Period | Target Sector | Key Outcome |
| 2023-2024 | Rocket Force / Defense Ministry | Removal of Defense Minister and Top Commanders. |
| Late 2025 | Defense Industry Giants | Purge of CEOs of major state-owned arms firms. |
| Jan 2026 | Central Military Commission | Top General under investigation; CMC reshuffle expected. |
While not naming the general directly, China’s People’s Daily ran an editorial this morning emphasizing that:
“The sword of anti-corruption will never be sheathed. Every corner of the military must be clean, loyal, and ready to follow the command of the Party without hesitation.”
