Chinese President Xi Jinping has made a rare public reference to a recent crackdown which saw the country's top military general removed. General Zhang Youxia, who was widely seen as Xi's closest military ally, was removed from his post in January. He was accused of serious violations of discipline and law - typically a euphemism for corruption.
Speaking in a virtual address on Tuesday, Xi said the past year had been unusual and extraordinary, adding that the army had undergone revolutionary tempering in the fight against corruption. Since coming to power, President Xi has launched waves of anti-corruption drives, which critics say have also been used as a tool to purge political rivals.
In his remarks on Tuesday, Xi also added that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) had effectively addressed various risks and challenges, adding that many in the army had gone through in-depth political rectification. He also said that PLA troops had been loyal to the Party... and proven themselves capable and dependable.
The latest remarks come as part of Xi's annual Chinese New Year greetings to the PLA. This is the first time since 2022 that he has made any reference to corruption in his annual greeting.
Records show that 14 full-rank generals have been sacked or investigated in the past three years. The recent purges have significantly reduced the seven-member Central Military Commission to just two, including Xi himself.
Xi's comments, made during a crucial time for the military, signal an attempt to reassure the Chinese Communist Party and the military that there is a coherent strategy in the ongoing anti-corruption efforts, amid concerns regarding its impact on military readiness.
