Thread by @JatinderSabrwal

Power Shake-Up at the Top of China’s Military
*Corruption purge… or paranoia at the peak?*
Here’s what’s turning heads globally😇
#NumbersDontLie
Of the **7 original CMC members elected at 20th CPC** (incl Xi Jinping himself), **6 have fallen**
**Big names. Big roles.All gone**

* **He Weidong** – former Vice Chairman
* **Li Shangfu** – former Defence Minister
* **Wei Fenghe** – former Defence Minister
* **Miao Hua** – former Director, Political Work Dept
👉 All under corruption investigations.
Now the spotlight shifts to the top #PLA

**Gen Zhang Youxia** (current Vice Chairman) & 2nd only to Xi Jinping is latest on Xi's wrong side. His colleague & 2nd VC He Weidong was also sacked similarly in Oct 25 alongwith with 8 top Gen. Zhang was considered close to Xi as only those he trusts are appointed to #CMC

**Gen Liu Zhenli** – Chief of Joint Staff Department
Only **Zhang Shengmin**, head of CMC’s Discipline Inspection Commission, a zimpolit equivalent, remains untouched.
📉 A Systemic Fallout
* Of **44 military Central Committee members, 11+ already expelled & stripped of rank

With Zhang Youxia & Liu Zhenli added, the **fallout rate nears 1/3rd**
* **Every major arm hit**:
Rocket Force 🚀 | Navy ⚓ | Army 🪖 | Strategic Support Force | Eastern Theater Command
Some are even calling this a **“Second Tiananmen moment”** for the PLA

Strategic Consequences🇨🇳
* PLA modernisation takes a hit
* Taiwan theater preparedness pos weakened
* Unrest down the chain of Command
🤔The Real Question
Is this really about **corruption**
or is **Xi running scared**?
👉 You don’t remove:
*2 Def Min
*2 VC of CMC
*50+ top Gen

…all on corruption charges **overnight**.
They didn’t suddenly “turn corrupt.”
They became **powerful**.
🇨🇳Political Undercurrent
* China follows informal: **“7 up, 8 down”** rule for promotions
* Xi broke convention by taking unprecedented (since Mao)**3rd term at 69** (2022)

* **Zhang Youxia**, retained at **72**, only because Xi trusted him (in chair since 2017 & now under clout!)
* Xi refused to move into *“margdarshak mandal”* (retirement council)
✨️Why This Feels Urgent
* Xi hasn’t named a successor
* Health concerns swirl
* No Lt being groomed

**Anyone with clout = potential threat = removed**
🤔What’s Likely Next?
If Xi ever steps aside (or is forced to), expect:
* A **hand-picked junior loyalist**
* Someone who won’t challenge his legacy
* A leader who does his bidding

Until then, Xi Jinping tightens control by **cutting down anyone who grows too tall **
💱 **Corruption purge.... or survival strategy? **
Drop your take 👇
#ChinaPurge #CMC #PLA

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