China’s military leadership is facing an unprecedented hollowing out, as Beijing removes two top figures from the Central Military Commission (CMC), including Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia, long seen as Xi Jinping’s most trusted general. The latest purge is part of a broader pattern that has defined Xi’s third term, raising questions about whether it reflects unchallenged personal power or deepening political insecurity. With senior commanders gone and the institutional balance disrupted, what does this mean for the PLA’s effectiveness and internal cohesion? And how might these internal shocks shape China’s calculations toward Taiwan? In this episode, we examine the implications of the CMC purge, Xi’s grip on the military, risks of miscalculation, and whether turmoil inside the PLA makes a Taiwan contingency more or less likely.*Recorded on January 29, 2026 at 4:30pm Taiwan Standard Time
