Xi Jinping Acknowledges Military Purge in Rare Remarks

Fri Feb 13 2026 00:37:54 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In an unusual move, Chinese President Xi Jinping publicly addressed the recent military purge that saw the removal of General Zhang Youxia, emphasizing the ongoing anti-corruption efforts within the People's Liberation Army.

President Xi Jinping has made a rare public reference to a recent military purge in China, highlighting the removal of General Zhang Youxia due to serious violations of discipline. In his remarks, he underscored the People's Liberation Army's commitment to corruption fights while dealing with various challenges. Xi's comments come amid an ongoing series of high-level purges, raising questions about internal dynamics within the military and the Communist Party.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has made a rare public reference to a recent crackdown which saw the country's top military general removed.

General Zhang Youxia, who was widely seen as Xi's closest military ally, was removed from his post in January, accused of 'serious violations of discipline and law'—typically a euphemism for corruption.

Speaking in a virtual address on Tuesday, Xi said the past year had been 'unusual and extraordinary', adding that the army had 'undergone revolutionary tempering in the fight against corruption'.

Since coming to power, President Xi has launched waves of anti-corruption drives, which critics say have also been used as a tool to purge political rivals.

In his remarks, Xi noted that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) had effectively addressed 'various risks and challenges', indicating a process of 'in-depth political rectification' within the military.

The latest comments come as part of Xi's annual Chinese New Year greetings to the PLA, and it is the first time he has addressed corruption in this context since 2022.

General Zhang, 75, was vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and was purged along with General Liu Zhenli. This latest purge follows another crackdown in October 2025, where nine top generals were also removed.

Critics argue that these purges are more about consolidating power rather than solely targeting corruption, given the high number of military officials affected.

Xi's unusual remarks appear aimed at assuring Party cadres and the public that the purges serve a broader purpose, especially in the context of military readiness.

Experts suggest that the timing of Xi's comments is also linked to the ongoing struggles within the Party and the military's need to adapt to changing political landscapes.