Beijing — Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s decision to place the country’s Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s decision to place the country’s top-ranking general under investigation is a stunning move that leaves Xi virtually alone at the top of the military hierarchy – raising deep questions about the implications for the world’s largest armed forces, as well as Beijing’s ambitions to take control of Taiwan. Tingshu Wang/ReutersXi’s ‘unassailable position’The circumstances around Zhang’s investigation remain unclear likely not only to those outside but also within the black box of China’s military, a massive and opaque entity even by China’s usual standards. It’s also one that is closely linked to the organization of China’s military, which is controlled by the party, not the state. ‘State of disarray’The latest move now leaves Xi virtually alone at the top of China’s military hierarchy. High-level ousters have left the PLA leadership “in a state of disarray right now,” said Thomas at the Asia Society.

Source: Egypt Independent January 26, 2026 16:09 UTC