China’s Military Shake-Up Signals Escalating Power Struggle Around Xi Jinping: Analysts

The sudden purge of senior generals has raised concerns among analysts about factional conflict and weakening command authority within the nation’s army.

Chinese security guards look at military delegates during the speech of Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Communist Party's 19th Congress in Beijing on Oct. 18, 2017. Fred Dufour/AFP via Getty Images

The sudden downfall of Zhang Youxia, a vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission (CMC), has fueled speculation among analysts of an escalating power struggle at the heart of the Chinese communist regime.

Zhang and fellow CMC member Liu Zhenli were officially announced as being under investigation on Jan. 24, an extraordinary move given Zhang’s status as one of the most senior figures in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).