Chinese purge might slow PLA, experts sayGENERALS GONE: Although losing top generals is not likely to harm the PLA’s ability to conduct routine military affairs, the loss of experience will hurt, a researcher saidBy Jonathan Chin / Staff writer, with CNAChinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) removal of senior military leaders might disrupt the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) capability to wage war against Taiwan in the immediate future, Taiwanese defense experts said yesterday. With the removal of Zhang and Liu, five of the seven members of the 20th Central Military Commission formed in 2022 have now been removed, leaving only its chairman, Xi, and its vice chairman, Zhang Shengmin (張升民). Then-Chinese Central Military Commission vice chairman Zhang Youxia speaks at the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense in Hanoi on Oct. 24, 2024. There would be a significant downside for the PLA capabilities if Xi’s purges spread to lower-ranking generals, he added. As Xi hollows out the commission, fear of contradicting the Chinese leader could stifle the honest exchange of opinions necessary for Beijing to manage contingencies, Chieh said.

Source: Taipei Times January 27, 2026 16:05 UTC