In a move that has sent shockwaves through China’s political and military elite, Beijing has expelled nine high-ranking People’s Liberation Army (PLA) officers—including two members of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC)—just days before a pivotal Communist Party meeting. The dramatic purge, announced on October 17, 2025, has not only upended the top ranks of China’s military but also thrown into question the stability of President Xi Jinping’s grip on power as the Fourth Plenum of the 20th Central Committee convenes in Beijing from October 20 to 23.
According to a notice from China’s Defense Ministry, the nine officials—He Weidong (CMC Vice Chairman), Miao Hua (CMC member and former head of the Political Work Department), He Hongjun, Wang Xiubin, Lin Xiangyang, Qin Shutong, Yuan Huazhi, Wang Houbin, and Wang Chunning—were expelled from both the Communist Party and the military. All held the rank of general, and each had been promoted during Xi Jinping’s tenure, many considered part of his so-called “Xi loyalist” network. The Defense Ministry’s statement accused them of “serious duty-related crimes involving enormous sums of money,” describing the offenses as “especially severe and with extremely harmful impact.”
The timing of the purge—immediately preceding the Fourth Plenum, where Party leadership is expected to deliberate over political stability and personnel alignment—has fueled intense speculation among China analysts and observers worldwide. As reported by multiple outlets, including BBC and South China Morning Post, this is the most significant shake-up of the PLA since the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. The official narrative frames the expulsions as part of Xi’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, which has targeted dozens of generals since 2013, including former CMC vice chairmen Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong. However, the fact that all nine purged officers were promoted under Xi’s watch has prompted deeper questions about the true motivations behind the move.
Online, the reaction has been swift and biting. Overseas Chinese-language social media, particularly on the platform X (formerly Twitter), erupted with debate and sarcasm. One journalist posted: “Of the 79 senior officers promoted by Xi since he took power, 15 are now under investigation or missing. This is the largest purge in the Chinese military since Mao’s death in 1976.” Another user wrote, “These were all Xi’s people—his own generals. If they’re turning against him, who’s left to trust?” Others mocked the situation as “self-cannibalism within the regime,” or quipped that “Xi has drawn the knife on himself,” suggesting that the loyalty Xi has so carefully cultivated may now be unraveling.
Inside China, such commentary is tightly censored, but on overseas forums and video channels, the discussion has gone viral. Some users even claimed, “The loyalists have all fallen, leaving the emperor exposed.” The online discourse underscores the sense of uncertainty and intrigue swirling around the Chinese leadership, with many speculating that the real battle may be within the Party itself.
Analysts remain divided over the implications of the mass expulsions. Some military experts see the move as a sign of Xi tightening his grip on the PLA, ensuring that only the most loyal remain in positions of power. Others, however, interpret the purge as evidence of deepening mistrust and instability at the very top of China’s command structure. As one political scholar in London put it, “This wave is different. It comes on the eve of a key Party meeting and targets Xi’s own protégés. That suggests not just corruption—but mistrust within the top ranks.”
Echoing this sentiment, a commentator on X observed, “If this is about centralizing power, not losing it, then Xi is accelerating his own cycle of authoritarian decay.” The notion that Xi may be purging his own loyalists to preempt potential threats or dissent within the military ranks has added another layer of intrigue to the unfolding drama.
Further heightening the sense of unease, Beijing authorities imposed sweeping airspace restrictions during the plenum period. According to a notice published by Beijing Evening News, all balloon releases, sky lanterns, and drone flights have been banned, and the entire city declared a “restricted zone for unmanned aerial vehicles.” Residents were reminded that all drones must be registered under real names, with fines for violations ranging from 200 yuan to 20,000 yuan. The temporary flight ban underscores the government’s heightened sensitivity to security and public order as senior leaders gather behind closed doors to discuss the future direction of the country.
This latest purge fits into a broader pattern of fear and control at the heart of China’s political system. In recent years, a string of disappearances among senior defense officials—including former Defense Minister Li Shangfu—has raised concerns about growing paranoia and the relentless search for absolute loyalty at the highest levels. While official media continue to frame such moves as part of the anti-corruption drive, the broader pattern suggests mounting internal instability and a leadership increasingly preoccupied with discipline and control.
The expulsions also come at a sensitive time for Xi Jinping. The Fourth Plenum is widely seen as a critical juncture for the Party, with discussions expected to focus on political discipline, military loyalty, and the centralization of authority. The removal of nine top generals—many of whom were considered Xi’s allies—may signal an effort to preempt any challenges to his leadership or, conversely, a sign that fissures are beginning to appear within his inner circle.
For now, Beijing has offered no public explanation beyond the familiar refrain of “serious violations of discipline.” But among China’s online diaspora and political observers, the message is clear: when the Party purges its own generals, the stakes are high and the consequences potentially far-reaching. Whether this is a calculated move to cement Xi’s control or a symptom of deeper instability remains to be seen.
As the Fourth Plenum unfolds in Beijing, all eyes are on the Chinese capital. The fate of the nine expelled generals, the true motivations behind their removal, and the broader implications for China’s political and military future are questions that will linger long after the delegates have departed. For now, the only certainty is that the ground beneath China’s leadership is shifting—and the world is watching closely.
