In recent days, there has been internal turmoil within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) military, with the top leadership facing a crisis. To address this, the military recently started the first session of the “Senior Cadre Training Class” in an attempt to salvage the situation. During the opening ceremony, CCP leader Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of “struggle,” sparking ridicule. There were previous reports of Xi being involved in nepotism within the military, with his wife, Peng Liyuan, meddling in personnel appointments, leading to criticism from former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Zhang Yuxia. The military’s personnel management mechanisms have since garnered attention.
According to state media reports, on the morning of April 8th, the first session of the “Senior Cadre Training Class for the entire military” was held at the National Defense University, presided over by Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Zhang Shengmin. The opening ceremony was conducted via video conference at various military units.
Xi Jinping delivered a speech emphasizing the need to “conduct ideological rectification” and “deepen political training.” He called on military leaders to set an example by “speaking the truth,” to “dare to struggle,” and referred to the CCP and the military as constantly growing in the “struggle against various erroneous ideological tendencies.”
Official images showed only three generals accompanying Xi at the ceremony, including Zhang Shengmin, Minister of National Defense Dong Jun, and Commander of the Central Theater Han Shengyan. Another newly promoted general, Commander of the Eastern Theater Yang Zhibin, was absent. General Xiao Tianliang, the President of the National Defense University where the event took place, was also notably missing amid rumors of an investigation.
Since the purge of the Rocket Force in 2023, a significant number of CCP military leaders have been removed from their positions. Recent statistics show that among the 20 members of the Central Committee, 17 senior generals have either been dismissed or gone missing. The active top generals now include only Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defense Dong Jun, along with Eastern Theater Commander Yang Zhibin and Central Theater Commander Han Shengyan.
The video of this military cadre training session was shared on social media platforms, eliciting ridicule from netizens:
An account named “Voice of Hope – Current Chinese Situation” released a video stating: “Xi Jinping lecturing senior military officials with a worried expression! It seems that Xi Jinping is truly in distress: all those I promoted are corrupt, disloyal. Who else can I rely on? The officers below all look nervous, not knowing how to please, only diligently taking notes, showing loyalty.”
Media personality Wu Jianmin remarked: “Xi Jinping has basically taken down all the generals. The audience only saw one or two generals present, with the majority being lower-ranking officers, all pretentiously note-taking on Xi Jinping’s speech. Internally, they are all apprehensive, not knowing if they will be taken away by the disciplinary inspection commission after the meeting.”
Netizen Jili Xiao Shimei commented: Xi Jinping’s push for “ideological rectification” suggests his unstable power position within the military. The continued emphasis on “political training” indicates that the previous crackdown did not yield desired results, necessitating systematic efforts to rebuild loyalty towards him. “However, not to worry, judging from Xi’s demeanor today, even if he puts on makeup, he cannot disguise the dark complexion, and the deep creases – a serious illness is inevitable this year…”
Researcher Shen Mingshi from the Taiwan Institute of National Defense and Security Studies previously told Epoch Times that Xi Jinping’s constant purging of senior officials is causing a power vacuum. This, in turn, leads to a lack of senior leaders, resulting in various issues during military preparedness training, illustrating the dilemma he faces. Additionally, retired generals are unsettled due to the expanding purges, fostering a sense of passivity within the military.
Political commentator Li Linyi told Epoch Times that the CCP’s organization of the first session of the “Senior Cadre Training Class for the military” is undoubtedly an attempt to address the personnel crisis aftermath. The individual in charge of personnel management is crucial. Both previous military personnel officials, Zhang Yang and Miao Hua, have fallen from grace. With the recent arrest of Zhang Yuxia, on the surface, it appears that Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Zhang Shengmin, is in control. However, the rumored involvement of Xi’s wife, Peng Liyuan, in personnel matters could also play a role.
In early May 2024, a photo circulated on social media showing Peng Liyuan dressed in military attire with the rank of major general, indicating her participation as a full-time committee member of the Central Military Commission’s Cadre Evaluation Committee, conducting research on talent development at a military academy.
After Xi Jinping took office, he reformed the military, centralizing the authority for military officer promotions under the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission. In 2016, the Central Military Commission Cadre Evaluation Committee was established to oversee military promotions, with Peng Liyuan serving as a full-time committee member, leading to speculations of her involvement in military personnel appointments.
In an analysis published by independent commentator Du Zheng in Shangbao, it was revealed that Zhang Yuxia, along with another Vice Chairman of the Military Commission, He Weidong, and Military Commission member and Director of the Political Work Department, Miao Hua, were involved in a serious power struggle, which ultimately led to He Weidong and Miao Hua’s downfall. He Weidong and Miao Hua were closely associated with Peng Liyuan. This includes He Hongjun, the former Executive Vice Director of the Political Work Department who also fell from grace, indicating Peng Liyuan’s active involvement in military personnel matters.
After Vice Chairman Zhang Yuxia and Military Commission member Liu Zhenli were removed from office on January 24th, legal expert Yuan Hongbing, residing in Australia, revealed to “Vision Times” on February 23rd that Xi Jinping has long been operating a “family business” within the military. Peng Liyuan, as a full-time committee member of the Central Military Commission’s Cadre Selection Committee, had significant influence on the promotions of senior military officials, leading to discontent among military leaders.
Yuan Hongbing previously exposed that shortly after He Weidong, Miao Hua, and others fell from grace, Vice Chairman Zhang Yuxia openly criticized Xi Jinping during an expanded Military Commission meeting for running a “one-man show” among senior officers and operating a “family business.” Zhang Yuxia and Liu Zhenli jointly submitted a list of more than 70 generals, representing the “will of the military,” sourced from 100,000 officers. This act was seen as a direct challenge to Xi Jinping’s supreme authority in military appointments.
Analyzing the situation, Du Zheng stated that Xi Jinping later relied on the help of Zhang Shengmin, the disciplinary commission secretary who betrayed Zhang Yuxia, to suddenly bring down Zhang Yuxia and his ally, Liu Zhenli.
Following the announcement of Zhang Yuxia’s investigation, the CCP Military Commission introduced the “Regulations on the Election Work of Party Organizations in the Military.” Mitsuo Yashita, the CEO of an Indo-Pacific strategic think tank, commented to Epoch Times that Xi Jinping aims to appoint a new group of individuals, hence the change in the election process.
Political commentator Li Linyi previously mentioned that after Zhang Yuxia’s downfall, Peng Liyuan is likely to regain control over personnel matters behind the scenes, re-establishing her influence within the military, reviving Xi Jinping’s “family business.”