Chinese President Xi Jinping has made a rare public reference to a recent crackdown which saw the country's top military general removed. General Zhang Youxia, who was widely seen as Xi's closest military ally, was removed from his post in January for 'serious violations of discipline and law' - typically a euphemism for corruption.
During a virtual address, Xi described the past year as 'unusual and extraordinary', indicating the army had undergone 'revolutionary tempering in the fight against corruption'. This statement underscores Xi's long-standing commitment to anti-corruption measures, which critics say are also employed to purge political rivals.
In his remarks, Xi highlighted the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) response to various risks and challenges, stating that troops had proven their loyalty and dependability. These comments came as part of his annual New Year greetings to the PLA, marking the first time since 2022 he referenced corruption in such an address.
Zhang, 75, was vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) when he was purged, along with General Liu Zhenli. This latest purge follows a previous crackdown that saw nine top generals removed in October 2025 as part of similar anti-corruption efforts. In total, 14 full-rank generals have been dismissed or investigated in the past three years, significantly reducing the CMC's membership.
Experts believe Xi's recent comments serve to reassure both the public and Party officials about the rationale behind these military purges, especially in light of potential implications for military readiness. Xi has consistently portrayed the fight against corruption as pivotal to the Communist Party's integrity and governance, framing it as an ongoing and complex challenge.
