On December 22, 2025, a promotion ceremony for senior generals was held at the Bayi Building in Beijing by the Central Military Commission. Yang Zhibin, Commander of the Eastern Theater Command, and Han Shengyan, Commander of the Central Theater Command, were both promoted to the rank of general. This brings the total number of generals promoted during Xi’s tenure to 81.
In the three years since the 20th Party Congress, the military has been undergoing a continuous extensive cleaning, with numerous senior generals falling from grace or being “disappeared”. The scale and impact of the recent purges far exceed those of the previous decade before the 20th Party Congress. How many of the 81 generals promoted by Xi are still in active service? It is necessary to take stock of this.
So far, 14 senior generals have been officially announced as having fallen from grace, including prominent figures like former Politburo member and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission He Weidong, former Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu, and several Theater Commanders and political commissars.
Additionally, at least 23 other senior generals have been reported to have been “disappeared” without official confirmation of their fall from grace. The widespread nature of these purges suggests a deep-rooted issue within the military hierarchy.
According to both foreign sources and domestic reports, all 23 of these disappeared senior generals are suspected to have been involved in wrongdoings and are likely under investigation.
The recent promotion ceremony on December 22, 2025, saw only four active senior generals in attendance. This suggests a significant turnover in the top military ranks.
Furthermore, the history of senior generals facing repercussions for corruption in China dates back to the tenure of Xi Jinping, with notable individuals like He Weidong and Miao Hua facing investigations.
The high number of senior generals implicated in recent purges under Xi’s administration raises concerns about the extent of corruption within the Chinese military. The implications of these purges reach far beyond the military, affecting the wider political landscape.
Overall, the purge of senior generals highlights the deep-rooted corruption within the Chinese military, exposing systemic issues that have persisted over the years.
The purge of senior generals under Xi’s leadership underscores the severity of the situation, indicating a systemic crisis within the Chinese military apparatus.
As the Chinese military continues to grapple with internal turmoil and corruption, the repercussions of these purges are likely to have far-reaching consequences for the future of China and its armed forces.
The ongoing anti-corruption efforts by Xi Jinping have revealed the extent of corruption within the Chinese military and the challenges of reforming an entrenched system.
The purge of senior generals within the Chinese military reflects a broader pattern of corruption and malfeasance that has plagued the institution for years.
The revelations of corruption within the Chinese military underscore the need for greater accountability and transparency in the country’s military leadership.
The purge of senior generals suggests a deeper crisis within the Chinese military and raises questions about the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures in addressing systemic issues.
The widespread corruption within the Chinese military highlights the urgent need for comprehensive reforms and greater oversight to prevent future abuses of power.
The ongoing purge of senior generals within the Chinese military underscores the challenges facing the country as it seeks to address systemic corruption and improve governance.
Overall, the purge of senior generals within the Chinese military reflects the deep-rooted issues of corruption and mismanagement that continue to hinder the country’s progress.