Xi–Zhang Power Struggle Drains Vitality from Military and Political Systems

Xi–Zhang Power Struggle Drains Vitality from Military and Political Systems

[People News] Following Zhang Youxia’s downfall, numerous versions of rumors have surfaced online. One of the most unexpected claims suggests that Xi and Zhang are locked in an internal power struggle, with the broader outcome still undecided and the ultimate winner yet to be seen. However, this infighting is said to have drained the vitality of both the military and the bureaucratic system, causing civic cohesion to evaporate rapidly and leading the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) toward internal self-disintegration.

According to The Epoch Times, citing multiple sources in Beijing, the preliminary political characterization of Zhang and Liu by relevant authorities is reportedly not merely standard disciplinary or legal violations, but allegations of “splitting the Central Military Commission,” directly touching on the CMC Chairman responsibility system and the question of ultimate command authority. Sources say the handling of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli has already caused noticeable shockwaves within the military. Many mid- to senior-level officers have reportedly been temporarily ordered to suspend leave, cancel scheduled travel, and remain “on standby at their posts.” At the same time, internal military command, propaganda, and political expression systems have tightened in parallel, with the overall atmosphere becoming highly tense.

On the 26th, the PLA Daily ran a front-page article discussing military anti-corruption, declaring that “status grants no immunity, and merit is not a voucher against punishment.” The article revisited five historical military figures who had once shed blood or been wounded for the CCP: Liu Qingshan, Zhang Zishan, Xie Busheng, Xiao Yubi, and Huang Kegong. These individuals share one common fate — they were ultimately executed by the CCP.

Commentator Jian Yi believes that the PLA Daily’s revival of these five figures who were executed, along with its emphasis that “merits and faults cannot offset each other,” is clearly signaling the possibility of severe punishment for Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli.

However, in recent days, aside from the PLA Daily’s January 24 editorial criticizing Zhang and Liu for “seriously trampling and undermining the CMC Chairman responsibility system and endangering the CCP’s ruling foundation,” there have been no public declarations of loyalty such as “resolutely supporting the Party Central Committee’s decision” issued through official channels by CMC departments, theater commands, or service branches, nor have there been state media reports of study sessions or discussions expressing support.

On the other hand, authorities have not yet launched a full “de-Zhang-ification” campaign. At present, China’s Ministry of National Defense website still contains extensive records of Zhang Youxia’s past activities, while information on another former CMC vice chairman, He Weidong — who fell last year — has already been removed.

Current affairs commentator Wen Rui wrote on X on the afternoon of the 26th: “As of this post, on major core websites such as Xinhua, CCTV, People’s Daily Online, and the Chinese government portal, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli still appear in leadership charts. But this time it is an open rupture at the Party Central level, completely different from the He Weidong and Miao Hua incidents. Moreover, Zhang Youxia’s photos remain on Xinhua and CCTV, but the names under the photos can no longer be clicked. This shows that media outlets are aware of the issue but dare not act rashly. It is still too early to say that one side has completely won. The struggle behind the scenes may far exceed our imagination.”

Another commentator, Tang Hao, posted on X that after Xi Jinping detained Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, the people now facing the highest risk are not Zhang Shengmin or other generals promoted by Zhang, but Xi’s own family members. Military leaders and security officials across the country may be trying to track the whereabouts of Xi’s relatives in order to seize them as bargaining chips. The motive may not necessarily be to rescue Zhang or Liu, but at least to prevent Xi from continuing purges within the military and to save the lives of hundreds or thousands of officers. Conversely, Xi’s authorities may also be detaining the families of these military leaders as leverage to force compliance. In other words, an unprecedented internal CCP power struggle and purge is said to be unfolding, and even the possibility of small-scale internal armed conflict cannot be ruled out.

X user “Qiao Zhifei” commented that the Zhang Youxia incident marks a moment when supreme power appears more concentrated than ever on the surface, yet in reality has entered an extremely fragile period of dead silence. The purge has eliminated potential checks and balances but also hollowed out the vitality of the military and bureaucratic system. Fear can sustain control for a time, but cohesion is rapidly evaporating. From 2026 to 2028, absent a major shift, this internally driven self-disintegration could become the most lethal risk. History has repeatedly shown that when loyalty becomes mere performance, trust collapses completely, and any fortress that appears impregnable can crumble in silence. △