Chinese military to rally more closely around Communist Party with Xi at core: Defense Ministry

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) — China’s military will rally more closely around the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) with President Xi Jinping at its core, a senior military official said Monday, according to a Defense Ministry statement.

The reiteration of party loyalty comes as senior Chinese generals face investigation, including Gen. Zhang Youxia and Gen. Liu Zhenli, who have been under probe since last month.

At a Chinese New Year reception in Beijing attended by Defense Minister Adm. Dong Jun, a representative from the Office for International Military Cooperation of the Central Military Commission (CMC) said that in the new year, the “Chinese military will rally more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.”

Zhang and Liu are both members of the CMC, but the latest probe leaves the top military body with only two active members — Xi and Zhang Shengmin, who serves as secretary of the commission’s disciplinary inspection body.

Beijing last Wednesday also removed three defense industry delegates, including a nuclear weapons expert, from the national legislature.

Zhang, the first vice chairman of the commission, is allegedly accused of leaking nuclear secrets to the US.

Under its anti-corruption campaign, about 30 senior Chinese military generals and officials have been investigated or removed since 2023.