On March 5, 2025, PLA delegates arrive at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to attend the opening of the National People‘s Congress. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
[People News] How ruthless is the CCP's internal purging process? Recently, state media revealed a shocking insider story: following a series of military purges, only 4 active generals are left in the CCP. This situation prompted the Pentagon to state in its December 23 report, 'Annual Report on Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2025,' that the investigations into the military's high command by CCP authorities are likely to disrupt the military's operational effectiveness. In a bid to save face, the CCP hastily promoted 2 generals the day before the U.S. released this annual report.
On December 22, the CCP authorities quickly held a promotion ceremony for 2 generals before the end of 2025. However, only 4 generals attended the ceremony, and with the 2 newly promoted, there are now just 6 active generals in the entire CCP military. This news indicates that dozens of generals personally promoted by Xi Jinping over the past 12 years have been purged, leading to mockery from the outside world, which has dubbed it a 'military miracle.'
The CCP has long referred to the People's Liberation Army as the 'Steel Great Wall.' With Xi Jinping, known as the 'King of Incomplete Projects,' serving as the chairman of the Military Commission, it won't be long before the CCP's 'Steel Great Wall' turns into a heap of scrap metal.
The 2 newly promoted generals are Yang Zhibin, commander of the Eastern Theatre Command, and Han Shengyan, commander of the Central Theater Command. This marks the first promotion of generals in 2025. The last promotion ceremony for generals took place at the end of last year, attended by around 20 generals. In just one year, 16 generals were unable to attend this promotion ceremony.
Independent commentator Xiang Yang expressed on platform X, "In less than a year, 16 generals have gone 'missing.' Xi Jinping's 'self-decapitation' is indeed impressive, creating a remarkable phenomenon in military history, with so many generals being dismissed without a single war."
Chinese-American commentator Tang Jingyuan informed The Epoch Times that there are currently only 6 active generals remaining in the entire military, and this extensive purge is actually a consequence of Xi Jinping's passivity. The 79 generals promoted since Xi took office have largely been removed. The only active generals left are Defence Minister Dong Jun, Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia, and Military Commission members Zhang Shengmin and Liu Zhenli. "This is essentially a selective and comprehensive purge of Xi's military faction, which could not have been executed by Xi Jinping himself. If it were Xi's doing, it would completely contradict basic political logic and common sense. No leader moving towards authoritarianism would destroy their own power base, akin to self-sabotage."
Tang Jingyuan believes that this is currently a purge targeting the highest echelons of the military, but the overall cleansing of the entire military system has not yet concluded. The so-called eradication of toxic influences is often a lengthy process.
Shen Mingshi, a researcher at the Taiwan National Defence Security Research Institute, told The Epoch Times that the incidents involving active generals will negatively impact the Chinese Communist Party, whether in terms of military development or war preparedness. With these generals' positions now filled by lieutenant generals, the acting officials will feel anxious, fearing they could be replaced at any moment. During their acting period, since they are not official, they do not dare to act boldly, only seeking to avoid mistakes and ensure their safety.
The Chinese Communist Party is likely to adopt a more conservative stance, whether in response to the escalating situation between China and Japan or in preparation for military operations against Taiwan. If personnel changes are not finalised by 2027, this will also impact the military arrangements for the 21st National Congress," he stated.
Independent commentator Du Zheng previously analysed that Xi Jinping personally promoted 79 generals, nearly half of whom have since fallen from grace, turning into an international laughingstock and losing all credibility. Currently, the Central Military Commission is dominated by Zhang Youxia. Although both Zhang Youxia and Zhang Shengmin appear to pledge loyalty to Xi, "this power structure has effectively undermined Xi's military authority; if either of these two has ulterior motives, it could lead to a situation where 'the gun commands the party' and 'the gun does not protect Xi.'"
Du Zheng noted that the morale within the Chinese Communist Party's military is shifting, with 'military tigers' emerging in large numbers, reflecting a scene of decay at the end of the Red Era. "It is clear to anyone with insight that Xi has promoted 'big tigers' while himself being unwell, resulting in a complete loss of authority that is beyond recovery."
The newly promoted generals, Yang Zhibin and Han Shengyan, both have backgrounds in the Air Force. This raises the question: why are Air Force generals being given significant roles?
According to the South China Morning Post, the army chief of staff, General Cai Zhijun, and the army discipline inspection secretary, General Zhang Shuguang, who attended the promotion ceremony, are expected to oversee army operations. Meanwhile, the Air Force chief of staff, General Wang Gang, and the Air Force discipline inspection secretary, General Shi Honggan, are anticipated to manage military and political affairs within the Air Force.
Other Air Force generals receiving important roles include Major General Zhu Jun and General Wen Dong, who are responsible for the Beijing Garrison and the Xinjiang Military District, respectively.
Tang Jingyuan noted that the Air Force system has been relatively less impacted by the Miao Hua case. Miao Hua has historically been deeply involved in the Navy, and since assuming the role of Director of the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, he has focused more on generals with Navy backgrounds, leaving the Air Force system somewhat marginalised.
Shen Mingshi argues that the Air Force's increased prominence does not imply that it is free from corruption. This is underscored by the fact that Air Force Commander Ding Qiuhe and Political Commissar Guo Puxiao have also faced issues.
In December 2023, former Air Force Commander Ding Laihang was expelled from the National People's Congress. Wang Qiang, the Central Theatre Command Commander who attended the Fourth Plenary Session, and Li Fengbiao, the Political Commissar of the Western Theatre Command, both have Air Force backgrounds but were absent from the recent general promotion ceremony.
On December 15, the Chinese military announced an investigation into improper procurement practices within the Air Force, focusing on collusion or bribery related to contracts for materials or services.
According to a report by Nikkei Asia, Iida Masashi, Director of the Theoretical Research Department at the Japan Ministry of Defence's National Institute for Defence Studies, stated that the rise of Air Force generals in the Communist Party of China is linked to military considerations regarding potential aggression towards Taiwan. He also remarked, 'Air Force weapons are costly, which presents numerous opportunities for corruption. While current anti-corruption efforts have had minimal impact on the Air Force, the possibility of high-ranking officials being purged cannot be dismissed.' △
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