Xi Jinping Ousts Generals: Loyalty No Longer a Shield

Xi Jinping is sidelining even his most loyal allies. A sweeping purge within China’s military is reshaping the definition of loyalty—with significant political implications.

The Chinese military is far from stable. For nearly a year and a half, waves of purges and structural overhauls have rattled the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). These measures are being executed under the direct authority of Xi Jinping, who, as Chairman of the Central Military Commission, is not only the country’s top political leader but also its supre…