“Honeycomb Chart” Reveals: Xi Jinping’s Astonishing Destructive Power

“Honeycomb Chart” Reveals: Xi Jinping’s Astonishing Destructive Power (from internet)

[People News] Have you heard about the recent “honeycomb chart”? It’s not a high-tech product, but rather a newly released chart by the U.S. think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), mapping out fallen senior officers in the Chinese military. According to the report, the PLA is undergoing a purge far more severe and unprecedented than outside observers had imagined. Xi Jinping appears to be dismantling his own Great Wall—while simultaneously demonstrating extraordinary destructive power, living up to his nickname as the “Accelerator-in-Chief.”

“Honeycomb Chart” — Xi Dismantling His Own Ranks

According to reporting by Liberty Times, the chart is densely packed with 101 polygonal cells, each representing a senior military officer who has fallen from power or is suspected to have done so.

The colors indicate their status:

  • Red: Expelled from the Party

  • Orange: Removed from office

  • Gray: Purged or deceased

  • Yellow: Whereabouts unknown or under investigation

The most striking feature is the large number of yellow cells. The report states that out of 176 top military positions, 52% have been affected—meaning more than half of the senior leadership has either been replaced or left vacant.

The Hardest-Hit Branch: The Rocket Force

Which branch has suffered the most? The answer is the Rocket Force.

All four of its previous commanders have been formally removed. Deputy commanders and political commissars were also purged.

The Army ranks second, with two commanders, two political commissars, and four deputy commanders removed between 2024 and 2025.

Interestingly, the Air Force appears to have been less affected, possibly suggesting greater trust from Xi.

Impact on Combat Readiness

Such massive personnel upheaval inevitably affects military capability.

Although carried out under the banner of “anti-corruption” and “loyalty,” the purge has also removed many of the PLA’s most experienced operational experts.

One concrete indicator is response time.

In 2024, the PLA could reportedly launch its “Joint Sword” military exercises targeting Taiwan within 3–4 days. By 2025, similar-scale exercises required 12–19 days to initiate.

Analysts note that among 52 key military posts, only 11 have been officially filled. This significantly complicates any short-term plan for a large-scale military operation against Taiwan.

Implications for the Taiwan Strait

From U.S. and Taiwanese perspectives, Xi’s apparent lack of trust in his own generals may serve as a deterrent—though vigilance remains necessary.

Some analysts argue that Western assumptions should not be projected onto Beijing’s strategic thinking. Only Beijing knows what it considers “victory” over Taiwan, and how much hardship Chinese society might be expected to endure.

Singaporean scholar Xu Ruilin told Up Media that the level of force Beijing might use could vary according to political needs. Options range from:

  • A blockade without firing shots

  • Airstrikes

  • Demonstrative shows of force

  • Full-scale invasion

  • Continued political and military pressure around Taiwan

The most dangerous scenario, analysts warn, is that newly appointed commanders—fearful of being purged—may hesitate to report negative information upward. This could create unrealistic confidence at the top and lead to strategic miscalculation.

The “honeycomb-style” purge is still ongoing. Internal instability within the PLA may become one of the most critical indicators to watch in the coming years.