The command structure of Beijing’s Central Military Commission (CMC) has been in disarray for more than six months, during which some official documents were issued without anyone signing them, after Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping purged most of the top generals, according to sources who spoke to The Epoch Times.
Tang Jiezhong, an insider close to the Chinese military who used a pseudonym out of fear of reprisal, told The Epoch Times that after top generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were taken down by Xi in January, “for over six months, the Central Military Commission’s command system has been in disarray; directives are issued without a single signature, and military morale has plummeted to rock bottom.”
The Chinese regime’s defense ministry announced on Jan. 24 that Zhang, vice chairman of the CMC—the top defense command and decision-making body of the CCP’s military—and Liu, a member of the CMC and chief of the Joint Staff Department of the CMC, were being investigated for serious violations of Party discipline and state laws.
Tang said that investigations by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and military disciplinary bodies into the cases of Zhang and Liu were concluded two months ago but that the probes have sparked dissatisfaction among generals within the military.
Zhang was the only general in the CCP’s military with actual combat experience, which he obtained during China’s war against Vietnam in 1979.
Tang revealed that Zhang and Liu had long served in combat units and wielded influence within the theater command and military service systems.
“Following the simultaneous investigation into both men, officers across the theater commands lost confidence in the Central Military Commission’s new command arrangements; consequently, some officers became reluctant to sign important documents, fearing they might be held liable,” he said.
Tang said that Zhang and Liu command respect within the military; they understand how the troops operate and know what the rank and file are thinking.
“Currently, the Commission’s top leadership lacks anyone who can truly command the confidence of the ranks,” he said. “No one is willing to sign off on documents because everyone fears bearing responsibility. It is not a lack of personnel in the military, but a lack of anyone daring enough to make decisions.”
Tang further explained that commanders across the various theaters consider Zhang and Liu to be the CMC leaders they truly trust.
“This is because both have commanded troops—Zhang Youxia, in particular, has combat experience—and they are known for caring about the well-being of the rank and file, maintaining an approachable style, and possessing personal charisma,” he said.
Zhang Shengmin, originally a member of the CMC, was appointed as a vice chairman of the commission in October 2025 and has long been responsible for military discipline inspection.
Xi’s New Promotions Boost Military Unease
On July 3, Xi promoted Zhang Shuguang and Wang Gang to the rank of top general in Beijing. At the time, Zhang Shuguang served as secretary of the CMC Discipline Inspection Commission and director of the CMC Supervisory Commission, while Wang served as commander of the air force. The promotion ceremony was presided over by CMC Vice Chairman Zhang Shengmin.
Zhang Shuguang’s promotion to the rank of general indicates that Xi is increasingly relying on the discipline inspection system to control the military, according to the insiders.
Bi, another insider within the CCP’s military who gave only his last name out of fear of reprisal, told The Epoch Times that the aforementioned rank promotions and personnel appointments have sparked dissatisfaction within the military.
“Since Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli came under investigation, the CCP has yet to publicly announce their successors as vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and chief of the Joint Staff Department,” he said. “Critical positions within the commission’s decision-making leadership and the joint combat command system remain vacant.”
Ji, a retired CCP military general who gave only his surname out of fear of reprisal, told The Epoch Times that in the past, whenever a major incident occurred within the military, the CMC would typically brief retired generals on the situation to secure the support of veteran officers. However, “following the investigation into Zhang Youxia, the military has not briefed them on the details of the case, nor does it seek the views of veteran officers regarding the promotion of key military officials this time,” he said.
This indicates that Xi no longer relies on the established mechanisms for coordination within the military, Ji said.
“Xi’s move to bypass retired generals and established military coordination channels—relying instead on the discipline inspection system to control the armed forces—has further heightened the unease among active-duty generals and officers,” he said.
