Chinese President Xi Jinping's sweeping purge of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has destabilised China's military hierarchy and entrenched a climate of fear that is corroding morale across the ranks, according to multiple reports. The scale and pace of the purge — targeting generals, admirals, and even former defence ministers — has raised serious questions about the PLA's operational readiness at a critical moment in China's military modernisation drive.

Suspended Death Sentences Shock the Officer Corps

The suspended death sentences handed to former Defence Ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe — both convicted of bribery and corruption — marked a watershed in the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) history, according to a report by Nepal-based online portal Hamrakura. Both men were once considered trusted allies of Xi Jinping, and their fall signals that no level of seniority or personal loyalty offers protection from the ongoing anti-corruption campaign.

'This campaign, while framed as an anti-corruption drive, is increasingly seen as a reign of terror designed to instil fear rather than discipline, leaving the PLA weakened and disoriented. The severity of these sentences stunned officers across the military. For decades, generals of such stature had avoided extreme penalties, but Xi's decision to impose suspended death sentences has created an atmosphere of paranoia,' the report said.

Domino Effect Through the Ranks

The purge has not remained confined to the top. In January 2025, investigations were reportedly launched against Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and Liu Zhenli, chief of the Joint Staff Department. Neither official has been seen publicly since, despite remaining listed in their positions — underscoring what analysts describe as the opaque and unpredictable character of Xi's campaign.

Notably, Zhang Youxia was the only general in the senior PLA leadership with direct combat experience. His effective removal, alongside Liu Zhenli's disappearance, has left China's armed forces without seasoned battlefield leadership precisely when the PLA is attempting to complete its modernisation by 2027. Analysts warn this is delaying reform timelines and degrading operational preparedness.

'Mid-level and junior officers now worry that they could be targeted next, regardless of their loyalty or performance. Analysts note that this climate of suspicion is undermining cohesion within the PLA, leaving soldiers hesitant to act decisively and commanders reluctant to take initiative. The purge has effectively dismantled trust between the ranks and leadership, replacing it with fear of reprisal,' the Hamrakura report added.

The February 26 Purge and Its Fallout

A separate report in international magazine The Diplomat highlighted that on 26 February 2026, ahead of China's annual Two Sessions meetings, the National People's Congress (NPC) removed 10 PLA officers from their posts as NPC deputies — a move that, under Chinese political convention, typically signals serious trouble for those involved.

'Although the NPC did not provide reasons for their removal, an analysis of these officers' backgrounds suggests that their ouster was motivated by connections to previously purged generals. In other words, earlier purges appear to have started a domino effect within the PLA, triggering the downfall of both active and retired officers,' The Diplomat stated.

The February 26 purge also resulted in the dismissal of five former senior officers who had led the PLA Army, Navy, Air Force, and Information Support Force. Additionally, two operational commanders linked to the 73rd Group Army — garrisoned in Fujian Province, directly opposite Taiwan — and three generals serving in CMC-level organisations were removed from their posts.

Navy Leadership Swept Up in the Purge

Retired Admiral Shen Jinlong, who served as Commander of the PLA Navy (PLAN) from 2017 to 2021, was stripped of his NPC position alongside his political commissar, Admiral Qin Shengxiang. Under their joint leadership, the Chinese navy underwent a major expansion in both fleet size and capabilities. However, their careers overlapped significantly with the rise of Zhang Youxia as CMC vice chairman — and those professional and personal linkages, according to The Diplomat, likely contributed to their removal.

According to the report, the rapid expansion of investigations may be undermining PLA operational readiness and heightening concern within the officer corps, with more officers likely to be implicated in connection with the February 26 cases in the months ahead.

What Comes Next

With China's self-imposed 2027 military modernisation deadline approaching, the cumulative effect of these purges — lost experience, shattered trust, and a paralysed officer corps — poses a structural challenge that goes beyond individual corruption cases. Whether Xi Jinping's consolidation of absolute control strengthens or ultimately hollows out the PLA remains the central question for defence analysts tracking China's military trajectory.