Since Xi Jinping took office in 2013, many believe he wields unchecked power. The recent removal of general Zhang Youxia from China’s military leadership seems to support this view. But this interpretation may overlook some deeper issues at play.
Xi’s paranoia about foreign influence, particularly from the U.S., has been a recurring theme. He often credits the CIA for stirring unrest, from the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989 to modern tensions in Hong Kong. However, there’s growing concern among party leaders about Xi’s judgment, especially after his decision to remove Zhang.
Historically, tensions between China’s political and military sectors are not new. Every leader since the establishment of the People’s Republic in 1949 has had a challenging relationship with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). For instance, in 1958, during Mao Zedong’s Great Leap Forward, military commander Peng Dehuai openly criticized Mao when soldiers wrote about their families starving. Mao eventually purged him, underscoring the potential consequences of military dissent.
In a more recent example from 2011, during a visit from then U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, the PLA displayed its new J-20 fighter jet just hours before Gates met with President Hu Jintao. This act was perceived as a direct challenge to Hu’s authority.
So what’s behind Zhang’s removal? One theory suggests Xi became alarmed when Zhang, in a significant move last summer, purged his rivals in the military hierarchy. This included two generals who supported a more aggressive stance toward Taiwan, a vital issue for Xi. Zhang, a seasoned soldier, was reportedly cautious about pushing for military change.
Xi’s concerns likely grew when Zhang gained too much power. Some reports suggest Zhang might have opposed Xi’s urgency to prepare the military for potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait by 2027. Such actions could have posed a threat to Xi’s authority, hence the need to act against Zhang.
This event could shake confidence within the party about Xi’s leadership. Some party elites might now push for a designated successor, something Xi has resisted. Since 2013, he has ruled with a strong grip, but removing Zhang may have been a step too far.
Ultimately, Zhang’s true “crime” seems to be his rising power rather than any failures in leadership or corruption. This incident raises questions about Xi’s leadership approach and could lead to more significant shifts within the party.
For deeper insights into the current Chinese political landscape, sources like the Council on Foreign Relations provide valuable perspectives.
