In recent months, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has overseen a dramatic purge within the top ranks of China’s military and defense industries. At least a dozen high-ranking officials, including generals and CEOs of major military corporations, have been quietly removed, disappeared from public view, or formally arrested. Among the most high-profile removals was General He Weidong, the second-highest-ranking officer in the People’s Liberation Army and vice-chair of the powerful Central Military Commission.

He Weidong, once considered close to Xi and a product of the so-called Fujian clique, vanished from public life in early 2025. According to reports from the Financial Times and corroborated by independent journalists, He was quietly arrested amid rumors of corruption or leaking classified information. His downfall marks the most significant purge of a military figure since 1967 and has sparked serious questions about the internal stability of Xi’s leadership.

Also purged was Miao Hua, a former Political Work Department head, accused of “serious violations of discipline,” a phrase the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) often uses in corruption cases. The same opaque process was seen in the removal of former Defense Minister Li Shangfu and former Foreign Minister Qin Gang. Both disappeared from public life long before their formal dismissals were announced, fueling speculation of secret investigations, arrests, or worse.

A Pattern of Quiet Replacements

The recent shake-up is not limited to the military. Since early 2024, all ten of China’s state-owned military-industrial companies have undergone top-level changes. Key executives—including Wu Yansheng of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp., Liu Shiquan of Norinco, and Wang Changqing of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp.—were all quietly removed. Many had already been stripped of their political advisory roles or had not been seen in public for months.

Caixin, a prominent Chinese financial publication, noted the pattern: top executives disappear, remain out of view for extended periods, and are then quietly replaced. The regime typically offers no explanation. Some, like Tan Ruisong and Cao Jianguo, were reportedly under investigation for corruption, while others—like Zeng Yi and Zhang Zhongyang—were removed without any public comment.

Why Analysts See Signs of Weakness

Analysts are divided over what these purges mean. On the surface, they could be seen as part of Xi’s long-running anti-corruption campaign. Since taking power in 2012, Xi has used corruption investigations to remove rivals and tighten his grip on the CCP and the military. However, the scale and timing of the current crackdown suggest something deeper.

Shen Ming-Shih, a national security researcher in Taiwan, believes the wave of dismissals reflects Xi’s weakening position. “Because Xi has been losing power, those whom he promoted can be replaced when there’s any evidence of corruption or other offenses,” he said. Shen suggests the removals are meant to clear out potential threats before key political meetings, such as the upcoming fourth plenary session and the 21st Party Congress.

Wang He, a China affairs commentator, sees this as a sign of infighting within the regime. “The system is seriously corrupt,” he said. “These people were politically arrogant and put targets on their own backs.” He also pointed out that if the full extent of the corruption were revealed, it would likely devastate public confidence in the military and severely undermine morale.

Political Fallout and Public Speculation

The secrecy surrounding the shake-ups has only fueled more speculation. When former Foreign Minister Qin Gang vanished, rumors circulated that he had fathered a child with a Hong Kong journalist. When General He Weidong disappeared, whispers emerged of internal leaks and power struggles among military factions.

Victor Shih, director of the 21st Century China Center at UC San Diego, commented, “This He Weidong rumor is quite incredible. If he falls, others will also. Xi will need to move beyond a factional model for control.” The implication is that Xi can no longer rely solely on loyalty networks like the Fujian clique. The sheer number of high-level removals suggests that internal consensus is breaking down.

Tony Nash, CEO of Complete Intelligence, noted that the arrest of someone as senior as He Weidong would represent “a major blow to Xi’s inner circle,” with potential ripple effects for China’s Taiwan policy.

The Promotion of Loyalists and the Absence of Generals

In December 2024, Xi presided over a ceremony promoting Chen Hui to the position of Army Political Commissar. But notably absent were four senior generals, including former commissar Qin Shutong and Commander Li Qiaoming. Their unexplained absence sparked further rumors of an ongoing purge connected to Miao Hua’s corruption investigation.

Observers believe that Xi is promoting only those seen as personally loyal. Chen Hui’s background includes work in the military aerospace sector, another domain under Xi’s trusted control. Hu Yishan, a researcher at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, said Chen’s promotion “highlights the deeper tensions within the Communist Party.” Zhang Jing of the Chinese Strategic Society added that these moves show “ongoing struggles for control over the direction of the armed forces.”

What Comes Next?

While Xi may appear to be consolidating power by removing disloyal officials, the frequency and secrecy of these purges may indicate the opposite: instability at the top. As rival factions maneuver behind the scenes, the central question remains whether Xi can maintain full control or whether these moves are signs of mounting resistance.

Some analysts warn that internal turmoil could push China to act more aggressively on the international stage, particularly regarding Taiwan and regional conflicts. “The leadership may seek to deflect attention from internal struggles by ramping up external pressure,” said Hu Yishan. With tensions rising in the South China Sea and across the Taiwan Strait, the outcome of these internal purges may have global consequences.

ACZ Editor: We have heard these kinds of speculations several times over the past couple of years, but China is opaque in this respect. Will China collapse under its own infighting? Tough to say, but it is nothing we can plan for.