Multiple sources close to the Chinese military have revealed that after Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were investigated by the Chinese Communist authorities, multiple directives issued by the Central Military Commission to the grassroots level have faced widespread resistance within the military. The orders issued by the Central Military Commission’s office to major war zones and group armies have not been implemented, causing the military commands to be stagnant, leading to an unusual state of operation within the Chinese military.
According to sources within the Chinese military, currently, only Xi Jinping and Zhang Shengmin remain in core positions within the Central Military Commission. The investigations of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, seen within the military as a centralized purge of the existing power structure dominated by military officials, have directly triggered strong dissatisfaction among officials and soldiers in multiple major war zones.
Insiders revealed that on January 24, the Central Military Commission announced through the Ministry of National Defense and the People’s Liberation Army Daily that Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were placed under “investigation and review.” This news quickly spread within the military, resulting in strong reactions internally among various branches of the military. Many officials and soldiers privately questioned the detention and review of the two senior military leaders who had long held prestige within the military and were considered “veteran leaders.”
A source familiar with the Chinese military and political system, Mr. Ruan, told Dajiyuan that this action by the Central Military Commission is widely interpreted within the military as a political purge rather than simply an anti-corruption measure, severely undermining the trust in the top-level decision-making within the military.
Mr. Ruan disclosed that on January 24, the Central Military Commission’s office issued at least two documents to all levels of forces, requiring units to “align with the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission” and cooperate in related learning and statements. However, in many military regions, there was no response, with some units refusing to make public statements or conduct internal learning sessions. The next day, the Central Military Commission’s office issued similar documents in an attempt to suppress internal resistance within the military, but the situation did not change, and the related directives continued to be met with negative responses.
In recent days, journalists have searched through the Central Military Commission and related military websites but have not found any public statements or expressions of support for the Central Party and the Central Military Commission from various war zones or branches of the military. An insider close to the military commented, “Currently, the high-level military orders have been completely paralyzed in their dissemination channels, with no responses. From commanding officers to ordinary soldiers, the dissatisfaction and resistance towards the Military Commission are spreading. Orders are given, but no one takes them seriously.”
This anonymous source, who strongly demanded to remain unnamed, revealed that recently, even at the grassroots level among officials and soldiers, there have been instances of using the nickname “Baizi” to refer to Xi Jinping, which elicited laughter among them.
The mocking of Xi Jinping has also been observed in the Eastern Theater Command. A family member of a military officer serving in the local grassroots forces confirmed that some officials and soldiers have privately started calling “Lao Xi” as “Baizi.” He mentioned that within the military environment, this kind of reference signifies a lack of recognition for the authority of the supreme commander, serving as a clear signal of passive resistance: “Who listens to him now? Once the orders of the supreme commander are no longer seen as must-follow instructions, the practical basis for military mobilization will be lost. If they really want to mobilize for war, no one will sacrifice themselves for you.”
Reflecting on the current turmoil happening at the top ranks of the Chinese Communist Party, Mr. Hu, a graduate from a military academy, stated that such circumstances are extremely rare: “There was a coup during the Gang of Four era, but the military only complied with Hua Guofeng at the time. However, this bottom-up resistance behavior can be described as unprecedented.”
Mr. Hu expressed that in the past, once orders were issued by the Central Military Commission, various war zones would promptly show support and transmit the directives one after another. The current “collective silence” perceived within the military is viewed as a direct denial of Xi Jinping’s personal authority: “If they do not act promptly to correct this, I see very severe consequences. While they have prepared for arrests, they underestimated the internal resistance they would face.”
Mr. Hu further quoted a warning from military insiders, stating that if the top-level of the Chinese Communist Party continues to push forward with the handling of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli without making any substantial adjustments, the Central Military Commission will gradually lose its absolute command over approximately two million active-duty forces.
Some opinions argue that Zhang Youxia has long held prestige and practical control within the military, and his arrest has brought about such a significant impact that it has rapidly thrust the Chinese Communist Party into a highly unstable period. From the refusal of officials and soldiers in various war zones to make statements or cooperate with criticisms, it is evident that Xi Jinping is currently facing one of the most severe military crises since taking office.
According to official reports from Xinhua News Agency, on January 27, Xi Jinping met with the visiting Finnish Prime Minister, Antti Orpo, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to exchange views on China-Finland relations and bilateral cooperation. Official media released photos and reports of the meeting, where Xi Jinping was present and delivered a speech. This was the first public appearance by Xi Jinping within three days since the arrest of Zhang Youxia.
Regarding the situation where the Central Military Commission is now left with Chairman Xi Jinping and Vice Chairman Zhang Shengmin, how they will effectively command the vast Chinese military, military scholar Mr. Yuan stated that this structure poses challenges in commanding the operational system. Especially considering that Zhang Shengmin has long been engaged in civilian work and lacks operational experience, while the military officials still dominate within the military system.
Mr. Yuan pointed out that the Chinese military has long had two separate systems – military and civilian – with clear boundaries between them. The recent crackdown on the military officials’ system, represented by Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, perceived within the military as a disruption of the existing internal military balance, is identified as a significant factor contributing to the rapid spread of dissenting sentiments.
Several informed sources have cautioned that if the top levels of the Chinese Communist Party do not change their current decisions and do not release Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, the Central Military Commission will gradually lose its effective control over approximately two million active-duty troops.
It has been suggested by some opinions that Zhang Youxia’s long-standing prestige and practical influence within the military, followed by his arrest, have thrown the Chinese Communist Party into a highly unstable period. The refusal of officials and soldiers in various war zones to give statements or cooperate with criticism signals that Xi Jinping is confronting one of the most severe crises within the military since coming into power.