Purge of China’s Top Military Leaders Exposes Deep Crisis in Xi’s Command, Experts Say

The Chinese Communist Party’s Fourth Plenary Session has been overshadowed by a purge of generals and admirals allied with Party leader Xi Jinping.

Members of the Central Military Commission during the Fourth Plenary Session of the National People's Congress in Beijing on March 11, 2023. Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) opened the Fourth Plenary Session of its 20th Central Committee in Beijing on Oct. 20, touting plans to map out China’s economic blueprint for the next five years.

However, the focus of the four-day meeting has been overshadowed by an unprecedented purge within the top ranks of the regime’s military and ruling elite.

Mass Expulsion of Top Generals Before Key Meeting

Just days before the plenary session, nine top military officials, including Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) He Weidong, were expelled from the CCP and stripped of their military ranks.