The fallout from the downfall of Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Chinese Communist Party, continues to ripple through the ranks. The Chinese military spent ten weeks hosting a senior cadre training session at the National Defense University in its first session. Details of the training were disclosed in military reports. Experts suggest this move may be related to a broader campaign using Zhang Youxia’s case to ensure loyalty across the board, while Xi Jinping has sown seeds of resentment within the military, leaving it in a state of turmoil and disarray.
The Chinese military newspaper, on June 24th, published a “side note” on the first session of the senior cadre training for the entire military, held at the National Defense University from April 8th to June 16th. During the training, participants watched educational videos, rehearsed the “Three Major Disciplines and Eight Points for Attention,” and practiced basic military formations during morning exercises.
Veteran Chinese affairs expert Chen Pokong told Epoch Times that the emphasis on practicing basic military formations for senior cadres is a ploy by Xi Jinping to belittle top military leaders. The so-called senior cadre training appears to be about anti-corruption on the surface but is, in reality, a show of power by Xi Jinping.
The article in the Chinese military newspaper also stated that the training program utilized case-based teaching and analysis to examine the underlying causes and lessons of corruption from various cases.
It mentioned that the participants unanimously expressed their commitment to uphold the “two safeguards” and implement the system of responsibility of the Military Commission Chairman, among other things.
Since 2023, the Chinese military has been embroiled in internal struggles, leading to the fall of numerous high-ranking military officials, including Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission He Weidong and Commission Members Miao Hua, who were alleged to be close associates of Xi Jinping’s “Fujian faction.” Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and Commission Member Liu Zhenli, once considered close to Xi Jinping, have also fallen from grace. Military media accused Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli of “seriously trampling and destroying the system of responsibility of the Military Commission Chairman.”
Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense Studies senior researcher Shen Mingshi told Epoch Times that the two-month-long senior cadre training isolated participants from external social activities. Authorities took the opportunity to observe the lifestyles of these senior cadre members during the training. The approach is somewhat reminiscent of past “rectification movements” and underscores the notion of ensuring loyalty. Discussions likely revolved around distancing from individuals like Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli or criticizing them.
“For example, there would be group discussions to test your loyalty. If you express opinions different from Xi Jinping’s, it might be considered significant information for evaluation,” he said.
Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia and Commission Member Liu Zhenli were officially placed under investigation on January 24th. Subsequently, the Central Military Commission issued regulations on organizational elections within the military and implemented them on February 1st. In May, the Central Military Commission released a set of measures to strengthen the education, management, and supervision of senior military officials. These new regulations were seen as responses to the ongoing purge within the military. The senior cadre training also focused on studying these documents.
Chen Pokong stated that by toppling Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, Xi Jinping eliminated major threats to his power. However, he is aware that many within the military harbor hidden resentment towards him. Hence, the continuous release of directives and emphasis on education serve as a warning to all.
Xi Jinping emphasized the need for military leaders to be “exemplars of speaking the truth” and to “dare to fight” during the opening ceremony of the “Senior Cadre Training for the Entire Military” on April 8th. He stated that the Chinese Communist Party continues to grow amidst the struggle against various erroneous ideologies and attitudes.
According to Chen Pokong, Xi’s remarks indirectly targeted Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, attempting to fabricate accusations against them. “Anything contrary to his beliefs is labeled as a wrong path or wrong ideology. If he topples one person and fears lack of compliance, he resorts to constant intimidation.”
Shen Mingshi noted that Xi’s call for military leaders to be “exemplars of speaking the truth” is ironic, as it implies that previous high-ranking officials were fond of flattery and delivering superficial remarks, only sharing good news.
The first session of the senior cadre training for the entire military concluded on June 16th. Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Shengmin attended the closing ceremony and delivered a speech. He emphasized the implementation of Xi Jinping’s strong military ideology and the system of responsibility of the Military Commission Chairman.
Currently, Zhang Shengmin is the sole remaining high-ranking official within the Central Military Commission. Despite serving as the Vice Chairman of the Military Commission last year, he did not become a member of the Political Bureau. Speculations abound regarding whether he will face similar consequences in the future, as external observers closely monitor the situation.
Associate Professor Feng Chongyi from the University of Technology Sydney told Epoch Times that Zhang Shengmin’s statements are mere official rhetoric. To maintain his supremacy, Xi Jinping needs to guard against all potential threats, leaving others fearful and reluctant to challenge him. Therefore, the current environment features a facade of performances for mutual observation.
Chen Pokong indicated that the relationship between Zhang Shengmin and Xi Jinping is delicate. Xi does not completely trust Zhang, and Zhang’s allegiance to Xi is questionable. Rather than being loyal, Zhang may simply fear Xi Jinping.
Following the removal of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, Xi Jinping and Zhang Shengmin made their first public appearance together during a meeting with retired military veterans. In a news clip, Zhang intentionally kept his distance from Xi. While Xi greeted everyone and some reciprocated with handshakes or waves, when someone attempted to shake hands with Zhang, he gestured refusal, implying that he did not warrant a handshake. This incident reveals Zhang Shengmin’s lack of security within himself.
Chen Pokong suggested that Xi Jinping might use age as a pretext to force Zhang Shengmin into retirement next, replacing him with younger, more obedient individuals who pose less of a threat. Alternatively, Zhang Shengmin might also face consequences to instill fear across the entire party and military.
Next year marks the centenary of the establishment of the Chinese Communist military, coinciding with the 21st Congress involving adjustments to the party’s highest echelons, attracting significant attention to the restructuring of the Central Military Commission.
Shen Mingshi speculated that following the purge of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, Xi aims to reorganize the military by potentially promoting a new batch of generals to prepare for his continued reign and to equip the military with the capability to launch an assault on Taiwan during the centenary of the military’s establishment. If the timing is opportune, military action against Taiwan may be implemented.
However, a source familiar with military affairs, going by the pseudonym Ran Qiwu and working within the system, disclosed that the rate of publicized high-level purges has decreased recently, but restructuring the military commission faces challenges. He stated, “In the second half of the year, assessing the ‘loyalty’ of Military Commission leaders and commanders in various theaters has become troublesome. Strengthening the principle of ‘the party commands the gun’ is imperative now, but as past figures holding the gun handle have been successively replaced over the decades, promoting new personnel is not solely based on their current performance. Yet, examining their past encounters poses another dilemma.”
Shen Mingshi expressed that the current period is one of great turmoil within the Chinese military. While senior officials, including generals and brigade commanders, are undergoing screening at the National Defense University, individuals associated with Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli may exhibit passive behavior in such settings. Alternatively, some may display excessively positive attitudes, attempting to absolve themselves, but they may end up being two-faced, appearing compliant on the surface but potentially turning against Xi Jinping when given the opportunity.
Chen Pokong indicated that resentment is growing against Xi Jinping amid his purge efforts. Should a significant event occur, such as Xi Jinping decisively ordering the military to wage war against Taiwan, he could find himself in a precarious situation, facing the risk of military personnel turning against him. “It seems that the Chinese military is currently in a state of great internal division, posing a high-risk scenario for the entire Chinese regime,” he concluded.