BEIJING (AP) — China's President Xi Jinping emphasized the necessity of political loyalty within the military during a plenary meeting of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force. This statement, published by the official Xinhua News Agency, coincides with the ongoing annual "two sessions" meetings of China's top legislature and political advisory body. Xi made it clear that there should be "no one in the military who harbors disloyalty to the ruling Communist Party."
For more than a decade, Xi has spearheaded a wide-reaching anti-corruption campaign that increasingly targets the military. Recent developments include the removal of the military's highest-ranking general last month. Analysts interpret this campaign as not only a push for reform and modernization of the armed forces but also a strategy for Xi to eliminate potential rivals and secure unwavering loyalty among his subordinates.
In the most recent session of the National People's Congress, nine military officers were dismissed, which included two officials from the Central Military Commission, the military's highest authority. The crackdown also affected personnel across various branches, including the army, navy, air force, and the rocket force. Furthermore, three generals were removed from China's top political advisory body this week as part of the ongoing military purge.
In his remarks, Xi stated that “there must be no hiding place for corrupt individuals,” underlining the need for the anti-corruption campaign to be "resolutely pushed forward." This message reinforces his commitment to eliminating corruption within the ranks while ensuring that the military remains loyal to the Communist Party.
Additionally, Chinese leaders recently announced a 7% increase in the defense budget for the current year, bringing it to approximately 1.9 trillion yuan ($270 billion). This budget growth is slightly lower than the approximately 7.2% annual increase observed over the last three years, reflecting a careful balance between military expansion and economic considerations.
As Xi Jinping marks his 14th year in power, the focus on internal loyalty and the ongoing fight against corruption signal a critical phase in China's political landscape. The actions taken against military personnel underscore a broader strategy aimed at consolidating power and ensuring that the armed forces function as an unwavering support for the ruling party. This approach is indicative of Xi’s vision for a reformed and politically reliable military as China navigates both domestic and international challenges.
