Chinese President Xi Jinping has initiated the largest purge of military leaders since Mao Zedong, removing nearly one-fifth of the generals he personally appointed within the People's Liberation Army (PLA). This extensive overhaul began after Xi secured a controversial third term, breaking with party tradition. Analysts note that this purge reflects a broader political strategy as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) prepares for a leadership transition, with Xi's paramount goal being to politicize the military to ensure its loyalty and role as the ultimate guarantor of the party's rule amid potential internal unrest. Meanwhile, in the United States, former President Donald Trump is conducting a comprehensive overhaul of top military officials, including the firing of multiple four-star generals and admirals. These actions by Trump have drawn criticism regarding their impact on national security.
Letters to the Editor: Trump administration's firings of top military officials aren't making us any safer (via @latimesopinion ) https://t.co/UHA0lyq8HW
🇨🇳 Xi Jinping Conducts Largest Military Leadership Purge Since Mao Zedong After taking power in China for a third term in violation of party tradition, Xi Jinping began a sweeping purge of the leadership of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 2023. Nearly one-fifth of the https://t.co/9pgquSMK4n
Xi Jinping has unleashed the biggest purge of military leaders since Mao Zedong, ousting almost a fifth of the generals that he personally appointed. Is this a sign of Xi's political strength, or of his weakness