Shocking Reports of a Purge Linked to Miao Hua: Is Zhang Youxia Targeting Xi Jinping's Allies?

The Second-Generation Red Nobility Stages a Coup, Xi is Panicked. (People News Illustration)

[People News] Reports have emerged of another potential corruption scandal within the upper echelons of the Chinese military. In mid-November, overseas media widely circulated claims that Miao Hua was apprehended with a hood placed over his head. To date, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has not issued a denial. On November 24, rumors intensified, suggesting that Lin Xiangyang, a general and commander of the Eastern Theater Command, along with General Liu Zhenli, Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department, have also been taken in for investigation.

A social media user with the handle "Republic of China Human Mining" recently posted, "With Miao Hua taken down, speculation arose that Lin Xiangyang wouldn’t be spared either. They’re both from Fuzhou and were promoted by Xi Jinping as trusted allies. Sure enough, Liu Zhenli, the Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department, and Lin Xiangyang, Commander of the Eastern Theater Command, have both been taken in!" Several posts on Platform X have echoed similar information and commentary.

According to Wikipedia, Liu Zhenli enlisted in the PLA in September 1983, joining the reconnaissance company of the 112th Division of the Chinese Army. He became a member of the Communist Party in April 1984. In February 2012, he was appointed Commander of the 65th Group Army of the PLA; in March 2014, he became Commander of the 38th Group Army. In July 2015, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the People’s Armed Police Force and, in December of the same year, became the first Chief of Staff of the PLA Army. In June 2021, he was promoted to Commander of the Army, and in July 2021, he was elevated to the rank of General. In March 2023, he assumed the position of Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department. Liu is a member of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and a member of the 20th Central Military Commission.

Lin Xiangyang graduated from Fuqing No. 1 High School in 1980 and then enrolled in the PLA Nanchang Army Academy. In July 1983, he was assigned to the 31st Group Army of the PLA. He remained with the 31st Group Army until 2013, serving successively as platoon leader, company commander, battalion commander, and regiment commander. In July 2003, he became Chief of Staff and then Deputy Commander of the 86th Division. In March 2008, he was promoted to Commander of the 91st Division of the 31st Group Army. In May 2013, he was promoted to Deputy Commander of the 31st Group Army. In July 2016, he became Commander of the 47th Group Army. In April 2020, he was appointed Commander of the Eastern Theater Command Ground Forces. In August 2021, he was promoted to Commander of the Central Theater Command and elevated to the rank of General. In January 2022, he became Commander of the Eastern Theater Command.

Their rapid promotions after the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China reflect their meteoric rise through the ranks, advancing from regional units to the top levels of the PLA in just over a decade. This indicates Xi Jinping's trust in them and their status as key members of Xi’s faction.

Lin Xiangyang, a native of Fuqing, Fujian, is a member of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party. During his tenure in the former 31st Group Army, he worked alongside Xi Jinping in Fujian and is widely regarded as a member of Xi’s faction known as the "Minjiang New Army." His rapid promotion from lieutenant general in April 2020 to full general in August 2021 is seen as an extraordinary advancement, highlighting Xi's high level of trust in him.

Similarly, Miao Hua, also born in Fujian, was appointed Director of the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission in August 2017 after serving as Political Commissar of the Navy. This position placed him in charge of overseeing the promotion of all military officers. All promotions required his approval and recommendation before reaching Xi Jinping’s desk. It was during Miao Hua's tenure as head of the Political Work Department that both Lin Xiangyang and Liu Zhenli were elevated from chiefs of staff or army commanders to full generals and high-ranking positions in the Central Military Commission. Given the procedural requirement for Miao Hua’s endorsement in officer promotions, it raises questions about whether any exchanges of power, money, or mutual benefits were involved in these rapid advancements.

Reports also suggest that another official, Yao Danjiang, Deputy Director of the Political Department of the Central Theater Command Air Force, is also under investigation.

Political commentator Li Dayu remarked on his media platform that the downfall of these three figures aligns with expectations: "Both Lin Xiangyang and Miao Hua were trusted allies of Xi Jinping. Lin’s meteoric rise was due not only to Xi’s patronage but also to Miao Hua’s support. With Miao Hua taken down in early November, it was only a matter of time before Lin Xiangyang and Liu Zhenli were implicated."

Notably, during Xi Jinping’s visits to Fujian (October 15–16) and Anhui (October 17–18), both provinces under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Theater Command, Lin Xiangyang (Commander of the Eastern Theater Command) and Liu Qingsong (Political Commissar of the Eastern Theater Command) were conspicuously absent. Accompanying Xi during the inspections were Zhang Youxia (Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission), Wang Houbin (Commander of the Rocket Force), Xu Xisheng (Political Commissar of the Rocket Force), and Fang Yongxiang (the newly appointed Director of the Central Military Commission’s General Office). Li Dayu noted, "Their absence was unusual and suggested that Lin Xiangyang might already have been in trouble."

Shortly after reports of Miao Hua's downfall, Xi Jinping embarked on a nine-day trip to South America to attend a summit. Li Dayu speculated that others promoted by Miao Hua might also be under investigation, possibly due to revelations from previously arrested military officials.

Observers of Chinese military politics suggest that with Xi losing some of his authority, Zhang Youxia might now control most of the power within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Zhang’s influence has reportedly extended to replacing leadership in the Northern, Central, and Southern Theater Commands with his own allies. Previously, many of Zhang’s confidants were removed by Xi’s faction, but now it seems Zhang may be actively purging Xi’s loyalists. Despite the allegations against Miao Hua and others, the CCP has yet to officially confirm any such developments. This is likely an attempt to maintain a façade of stability for external observers, as publicizing these incidents could negatively affect perceptions of the PLA.

The most recent public appearance of Miao Hua, as verified by the author on Baidu, was on October 7. At the so-called 70th-anniversary celebration of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Miao Hua, serving as Deputy Head of the CCP delegation, delivered a congratulatory message on behalf of the Party, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission.