- Xi Jinping appoints loyalists Zhang Shuguang and Wang Gang.
- Reshuffle follows purges of 101 military officers since 2022.
- Aims to strengthen control and ensure PLA loyalty.
China's military is undergoing a major leadership reshuffle. After four years of sweeping military purges, President Xi Jinping has begun appointing new top commanders to strengthen his grip over the armed forces.
Jinping has promoted two of his close loyalists, Zhang Shuguang and Wang Gang, to the rank of general, signalling a move to realign China's top military leadership.
The appointments are significant because China's highest military body, the Central Military Commission (CMC), has several vacant positions following a series of dismissals, investigations, and unexplained disappearances.
Xi Jinping Removed 101 Military Officers
The seven-member CMC is now effectively being run by Xi Jinping and Vice Chairman Zhang Shengmin, with the remaining positions lying vacant.
According to the think tank CSIS, there are approximately 176 key positions within the top leadership of China's military, the PLA. These include seven CMC-level positions, 25 theatre command-level positions, and 145 deputy theatre command-level positions.
According to the report, 101 military officers have been removed or disappeared since 2022. Experts believe Xi Jinping sees tighter political control over the military as essential to making the PLA a more effective fighting force.
Who is Wang Gang?
61-year-old Wang Gang has been appointed Chief of the Air Staff of the Chinese military. His promotion may shape China's posture in the military confrontation along the India-China border and regarding the island nation Taiwan.
Wang is also expected to take part in deciding air deployments, cargo aircraft and drones, missile assistance and high-altitude manoeuvres on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Wang started his career as a fighter pilot.
Who is Zhang Shuguang?
The appointment of 67-year-old Zhang Shuguang is more than just a promotion. He has been named head of the CMC's anti-corruption investigation unit, making him responsible for overseeing future military corruption probes.
According to CSIS, the promotion could also place him in contention for one of the vacant CMC positions. He is widely seen as the new face of Xi Jinping's military anti-corruption drive.
What Could Be The Impact?
In 2024, China launched large-scale military exercises over several days following developments related to Taiwan. However, its response appeared slower in 2025. Reports suggest that vacancies in the top command and coordination issues led to a 19-day delay in military exercises in April and a 12-day delay in December.
Why Is Jinping Focusing On The Military?
There are two main props of political power in China, the Communist Party and the military. Although Xi Jinping had already seized a firm grip of the Communist Party, he spent much of the last several years locking down the military to his power.
When Jinping came to power, he took over the Central Military Commission. In the following years, he reformed the military, including elevating officers, streamlining command, and rooting out corrupt figures.
China’s military, estimated to have nearly two million troops, is the largest in the world, and the second biggest military spender behind the United States. As per analysts, Such a large army can pose a threat to a leader if it is not completely loyal.
In 2024, Xi Jinping reiterated that "guns must remain in the hands of those loyal to the Party," underlining the importance he places on military loyalty.
What is the Mao model?
Xi Jinping's approach is widely seen as drawing inspiration from China's founding leader Mao Zedong, who strengthened his authority by ensuring complete control over the military.
Analysts believe Jinping is following a similar model to ensure that the People's Liberation Army remains firmly loyal to him and the Communist Party leadership.
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