Xi assumed command of the Chinese Armed Forces
25 January 20:04
A large-scale corruption scandal has erupted in the People’s Liberation Army of China, with Deputy Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Xuya and Chief of the Joint Staff Department General Liu Zhengli at the center of it. If Zhang is dismissed, it will be one of the biggest reshuffles in the Chinese army since the crackdown on protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989, writes "Komersant Ukrainian", citing The Washington Post.
Military power concentrated in Xi’s hands
In addition, the removal of Zhang, who is China’s highest-ranking military official, marks an unprecedented concentration of military power in the hands of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the publication notes.
The Financial Times also notes that as a result of anti-corruption investigations in the army, only two people remain in the Central Military Commission, which controls the armed forces, and one of them is the Chinese leader. This is an unprecedented situation for the CMC, journalists note.
Investigation into Zhang Xu
The day before, the Ministry of National Defense in Beijing announced an investigation into Zhang Xu and Liu Zhengli on charges of “serious violations of discipline and the law.” This term is widely used in China to refer to corruption, AFP notes.
Zhang Xuya, 75, is the country’s highest-ranking general and one of 24 members of the Politburo of the ruling Communist Party of China. He shares the position of deputy chairman of the CMC with his subordinate, General Zhang Shengmin, commander of China’s missile forces and his namesake.
Xi is accused of eliminating opponents under the pretext of fighting corruption
Xi Jinping, who has headed the CCP since 2012, calls corruption “the biggest threat” to China. After taking office as president of China in 2013, Xi stepped up efforts to combat alleged corruption at all levels of military and state power. Critics believe he is using the anti-corruption campaign to eliminate unwanted opponents.
In October, Chinese authorities announced the launch of investigations into nine military officials on suspicion of corruption. Two high-ranking generals, including Zhang Shengming’s predecessor He Weidong, were removed from their posts.
