Xi's Military Purge May Set Back His Taiwan Ambitions

By ousting his top generals, Xi Jinping has secured absolute control, but has also hollowed out the command structure preparing for possible war over Taiwan.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 9:39pm

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China's leader, Xi Jinping, has purged the Chinese military's high command, including the ousting of the top general, Zhang Youxia. This display of Xi's autocratic dominance over the military has left a void that he is expected to fill with a new generation of handpicked loyalists. However, the hollowing out of the military leadership also complicates Xi's longstanding ambition to bring Taiwan under Beijing's control, by force if necessary.

Why it matters

The purge of top generals raises concerns about how the upheavals will affect China's military modernization goals and its ability to successfully invade Taiwan by 2027, a timeline set by Xi. The disruption could set back Xi's military objectives and make him more hesitant to take action on Taiwan.

The details

Xi has moved to wipe the slate clean, detaining or disappearing dozens of generals and admirals over the past three years. The simultaneous downfall of General Zhang and General Liu on identical accusations of 'grave violations of discipline and the law' suggests Xi may have seen them as acting in cahoots against him. By removing so much of the previous military leadership, Xi wants to build a new generation of generals untainted by the failings he sees in their predecessors.

  • In December, Xi appointed new commanders to two theaters, including the Eastern Military Region responsible for operations around Taiwan.
  • Just over a week after the appointments, the Eastern Region held two days of menacing exercises around Taiwan.

The players

Xi Jinping

The leader of China who has secured absolute control over the military through a purge of top generals.

Zhang Youxia

The top Chinese general who was ousted by Xi Jinping, accused of 'grave violations of discipline and the law.'

Liu Zhenli

Another senior Chinese commander who was ousted alongside Zhang Youxia, also accused of 'grave violations of discipline and the law.'

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What they’re saying

“Xi has wiped the table clean. He tried incremental reforms while largely trusting the P.L.A. to manage military affairs. By last year, he concluded that failed. Something entirely new is coming.”

— John Culver, Former Central Intelligence Agency analyst, nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution (Email)

“If Xi Jinping gets bad advice, if he miscalculates because he's got sycophants telling him what he wants to hear, not what he needs to hear, that's risk number one.”

— Drew Thompson, Former Pentagon official, senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University (Interview)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.