Shake-Ups in China’s Military Indicate Xi’s Power Weakening, Analysts Say

The replacement of executives could be corruption-related and used by CCP factions to pressure Chinese leader Xi Jinping, according to experts.

Officers of China's military and police arrive for the third plenary session of the National People's Congress in Beijing on March 12, 2019. Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

News Analysis

The recent replacement of senior executives in China’s military-industrial complex has fueled speculation that factions within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are vying for influence ahead of the upcoming fourth plenary session and 21st Congress, when Party leader Xi Jinping could be forced to resign.