China is witnessing unprecedented internal unrest, and President Xi Jinping has finally addressed the situation publicly. In a rare speech, Jinping detailed a sweeping anti-corruption campaign within the military, signaling a significant shake-up in the nation’s power structure.
President Xi Jinping has spoken out about the growing internal unrest in China for the first time. Jinping rarely speaks in public, but on February 11th, he shocked everyone by discussing his army’s largest “cleaning operation” (PLA).
Xi Jinping’s Revolutionary Forging in the Military
During his speech, Jinping bragged about the continuous fight against corruption and mentioned the high army officers who had been fired or vanished. Jinping’s remarks coincide with the near-emptiness of China’s Central Military Commission (CMC) and the one-by-one removal of his selected loyalists.
China’s power foundation is currently undergoing a revolutionary cleansing that Xi Jinping has dubbed “Revolutionary Forging.” Regardless of what Xi Jinping says, security analysts have characterized it as a tale of mistrust and anxiety roiling within Beijing, threatening China’s military buildup and Taiwan claims.
Xi Jinping’s Speech Highlights
“This past year has been exceptional and out of the norm. In a virtual speech to the military, Xi Jinping declared, “The People’s Army has made revolutionary reforms in the battle against corruption, effectively handled numerous risks and challenges, and strengthened its political retraining.”
The previous year has been “unique and remarkable” for the Chinese military, Xi Jinping admitted in his speech. He described a “revolutionary forging” against corruption in the army. This diplomatic rhetoric belies a terrible reality. Continue reading to find out about the influential Chinese leaders who were discredited and ousted.
Top Military Leaders Removed
Xi Jinping’s closest “battle buddy” was General Zhang Youxia, who was also China’s most senior general. He was the subject of a disciplinary violation investigation in January 2026. Serious accusations against him included corruption and disclosing nuclear secrets to the US.
He Weidong, General:
In October 2025, the party ousted He Weidong, the second-highest general. He used to be regarded as the primary planner of the invasion strategy for Taiwan.
🛡️ Military Council Vacancies
- CMC Members Gone: 5 of 6 appointed by Xi Jinping in Nov 2022
- Remaining Members: Xi Jinping & anti-corruption chief
- Impact: Central Military Commission in state of vacancy
- Reason: Anti-corruption drive & loyalty concerns
There are five of the six members that Xi Jinping appointed to his military council in November 2022 gone by 2026, leaving the Military Command and Control Council (CMC) in a state of vacancy. The only people left in this influential group are Xi Jinping and his anti-corruption chief.
Although Xi Jinping has characterized this measure as a campaign against corruption, there may be deeper motivations at play. Continue reading to find out why this cleansing is taking place.
The “Water” Controversy at Rocket Force
According to intelligence sources, missile silo lids were not opening correctly, and China’s nuclear missile tanks were discovered to be loaded with water rather than fuel. This massive corruption and technical glitch greatly infuriated Xi Jinping.
Seeking Unfailing Loyalty
In the event of conflict, Xi Jinping fears that generals who are not entirely faithful to him would turn against him. Zhang Youxia and other former allies have left, demonstrating Xi Jinping’s lack of faith in people.
System of Chairman Responsibility
According to the accusations, the terminated generals either directly defied Xi Jinping’s directives or attempted to make judgments on their own, in violation of the “Chairman Responsibility System.”
⚠️ Rocket Force Controversy
- Issue: Missile silo lids malfunctioned
- Finding: Nuclear missile tanks filled with water, not fuel
- Action: Xi Jinping furious at corruption & technical failure
- Outcome: Leaders removed & loyalty reinforced
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did Xi Jinping launch the anti-corruption campaign in the PLA?
Xi Jinping claims it is to strengthen political retraining and combat corruption, but analysts suggest deeper motives like ensuring loyalty and preventing dissent in the military.
2. Who are the top generals removed from the military?
General Zhang Youxia and He Weidong are among the most prominent leaders ousted due to corruption, technical failures, and breaches of the Chairman Responsibility System.
3. What is the “Revolutionary Forging” Xi Jinping mentioned?
It refers to the military’s systematic cleansing against corruption and loyalty risks, which Xi frames as a reform but has broader implications for power consolidation.
4. What were the issues at the Rocket Force?
Missile silo lids malfunctioned, and nuclear missile tanks were found loaded with water instead of fuel, revealing serious technical failures and corruption.
5. How does this purge affect China’s military leadership?
Five of the six CMC members appointed by Xi are gone, leaving the central command structure largely vacant and centralized around Xi and his anti-corruption chief.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available sources. The views and events described are subject to change as new information emerges.
