Recent News Update: The power dynamics at the top levels of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continue to reshuffle, with ongoing factional struggles within the military. Zhang Shengmin’s appointment as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission is seen as a compromise between Xi Jinping and Zhang Youxia. This appointment indicates a temporary balance among military factions, but underlying contradictions remain unresolved.
Insiders say Zhang Shengmin’s appointment came through coordination between both sides. Hailing from Shaanxi, the same province as Xi Jinping, Zhang Shengmin’s background as a missile force officer, who was previously promoted by Zhang Youxia, makes him a consensus candidate. One insider noted, “Zhang Shengmin is considered a moderate figure in the military, not directly challenging either side, making him the safest choice in this power play.”
Military observers point out that this does not signal an end to the power struggle between Xi Jinping and the military. The consolidation of the missile force and personnel adjustments show that the battle for control is still ongoing.
Military scholars note that Zhang Shengmin’s appointment reflects a delicate balance between the technical and political factions within the military. As the rocket force plays a central role in strategic deterrence, high-level adjustments carry political significance. The scholar analyzed, “Zhang Shengmin’s promotion to some extent eases tensions, but the disagreements between Xi Jinping and the military have not disappeared, and future succession arrangements will be affected.”
Public records show that Zhang Shengmin has long served within the rocket force system. The rising status of the rocket force in recent years has made it a focal point in the CCP’s high-level power struggles. Scholars believe that Zhang Shengmin’s appointment demonstrates a balance of power, yet it fails to eliminate the structural contradictions within the military and among the top echelons of power, specifically in the battle for influence.
Several observers point out that this recent purge represents one of the most profound internal purges within the military since the Cultural Revolution. Some analysts suggest that the factional struggles within the military have evolved into a competition for decision-making power. Despite being in a deputy position, Zhang Youxia’s representation of the technical faction still holds a balancing role in military affairs.
Overseas commentators suggest that the focus of the struggles before the Fourth Plenum is not just about personnel reshuffles but also about whether the CCP has a stable structure for waging war. Internal rifts within the military raise the risk of miscalculation, leading Beijing to exercise caution in decision-making regarding Taiwan. Reports from American think tank RAND Corporation and Japan’s Defense Research Institute point out that military politicization hampers operational readiness, weakening overall strategic credibility.
Insiders emphasize that while Zhang Shengmin’s appointment as Vice Chairman of the Military Commission has garnered temporary acceptance from both sides, the power play between Xi Jinping and the military will continue. This game not only involves high-level military personnel but also impacts the power structure for the 21st National Congress and future top leadership of the CCP. Regarding whether Zhang Shengmin is closer to Xi Jinping or Zhang Youxia, the insider mentioned, “Zhang Shengmin leans more towards Zhang Youxia because this aligns with the desires of the majority within the military.”
The Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission is one of the highest-ranking positions within the military hierarchy, with personnel changes historically carrying political implications and serving as indicators of the direction of top-level power. As of now, official responses from Beijing regarding these personnel issues and military disputes have yet to be made public.