The Daily Morning Sun Online //

The situation is believed to be quite heated among the top officials of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Recently, General Zhang Yuxia, vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission (CMC), and another top official, General Liu Zhenli, were dismissed. The move has also raised questions about the power struggle within China’s elite and the control of the top leadership.

Zhang, 75, was a key leader of the Central Military Commission. The normally seven-member commission now only has Xi Jinping and General Zhang Shengmin. The rest of the members have been removed in the name of an “anti-corruption” campaign.

Analysts say the PLA is now in a state of chaos. In the absence of the top leadership, the military’s decision-making may be problematic. In addition, the incident further demonstrates the central control of China’s power and Xi Jinping’s influence over the top leadership.

The official announcement said Zhang and Liu were being investigated for “serious violations of discipline and law” and “corruption,” but the details of the charges against them have not been made public. The state-run PLA Daily newspaper has already accused them of “betraying the Central Committee” and “contempt of the Military Commission.”

Analysts say the removals will create a climate of suspicion and fear in the military, which could affect the decision-making of top officials. In particular, such a lack of leadership and fear could make military operations more risky when it comes to plans to seize Taiwan. However, with Xi Jinping’s grip on China’s political leadership intact, the decision to intervene on the island will largely depend on his personal will.

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