Chinese Leader Xi Jinping Faces Pressure From Within the Military

People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers march next to the entrance to the Forbidden City (L) after the opening session of the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing on May 22, 2020. Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images

Commentary

Chinese leader Xi Jinping attended a military ceremony on Dec. 18 at the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)’s headquarters in Beijing. Four generals were newly appointed and honored at the event. But it appeared as if Xi lacked enthusiasm, judging from the news video footage of Beijing’s mouthpiece Xinhua. What was behind the grim expression on Xi’s face and why wasn’t he in a celebratory mood? Perhaps he is under a lot of pressure and is faced with obstacles at home and abroad.

Xi Asserts His Authority Through the Military

Amid the infighting among political factions within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Xi took the opportunity to show the Party that he commanded the military by appointing new generals. As the chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the move would secure Xi’s authority and serve as a warning to those who oppose him.