China’s military has accused its top general of undermining the command authority of Xi Jinping, suggesting that ensuring the powers of the Chinese leader is behind a probe of Zhang Youxia announced on Saturday, rather than just charges of corruption. Zhang, vice chair of the Central Military Commission, and Liu Zhenli, another CMC member and the People’s Liberation Army’s chief of staff, had “severely trampled on and damaged the chairman responsibility system”, the military’s official newspaper PLA Daily said in an editorial published on Sunday.
Under the Chinese constitution, the leader of the state and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) chairs the CMC and has supreme decision-making power over the military. This “chairman responsibility system” is designed to secure the party’s absolute control over the armed forces. The PLA mouthpiece’s editorial said the two generals had “seriously abetted political and corruption problems that affect the [Communist] party’s absolute leadership over the military and endanger the foundation of the party’s rule”.
The comments highlight the crucial importance of the PLA for Xi in his expected quest for a fourth term, which the party would have to confirm at its next congress, due in 2027. Since the party seized power through civil war and most of its founders fought in those battles, it regards control over the armed forces as indispensable.
