China military pledges tighter party loyalty as generals probed

China’s military will strengthen its political alignment with the Communist Party under President Xi Jinping, Chinese defense officials said Monday, highlighting party loyalty as investigations continue into senior officers. The statement placed Xi at the core of command, reinforcing the principle that the armed forces remain firmly under party control amid leadership scrutiny in Beijing.

Party control and ideology

Speaking at a Lunar New Year reception in the Chinese capital, a representative of the Central Military Commission said the People’s Liberation Army would “rally more closely” around the party’s central leadership and follow “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.” The remarks were delivered in the presence of Defense Minister Adm. Dong Jun and senior military figures.

Generals under investigation

The renewed emphasis on discipline comes as prominent generals, including Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, face probes launched last month. Both are members of the Central Military Commission, leaving the top body with only two active figures, Xi and Zhang Shengmin, who oversees disciplinary inspections, according to official disclosures.

Anti-corruption drive

Beijing has also removed several defense industry delegates, among them a nuclear weapons expert, from the national legislature. Allegations against Zhang include claims of leaking sensitive nuclear information to the United States, accusations that have not been independently verified. Since 2023, roughly 30 senior military officials have been investigated or dismissed as part of China’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign, developments closely followed in Türkiye for their implications on regional security balances and global defense dynamics.