China's leader Xi Jinping led one of the most impressive military parades in recent years.
Supersonic missiles, state-of-the-art underwater drones and armored vehicles paraded through downtown Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the "Victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War."
The presence of Vladimir Putin and more than 20 leaders of countries considered close allies of Beijing gives the event the character of an international message:
China wants to show that it is ready to stand up to the United States and compete for the top spot in the world power rankings.
Xi has made it clear that the modernized People’s Liberation Army is the foundation of the “Chinese Renaissance.”
In just a few years, China has
managed to: Create the world’s largest navy in terms of ships.
Quarterly increase its nuclear arsenal.
Develop state-of-the-art stealth fighter jets and a new aircraft carrier with an electromagnetic catapult.
The ultimate ambition is clear: by mid-century, the Chinese military should be on par with – or even superior to – the US. China in the shadow of corruption and internal purges
Despite the grand show of force, the reality is more complicated.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has launched a sweeping purge of the military's top brass in a bid to tackle corruption that threatens the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) operational capability.
In the past two years, dozens of generals and top executives in the state-owned defense industry have been removed or disappeared from public life as corruption has become so widespread that it has even affected readiness for potential military operations, including a future conflict over Taiwan.
The purge is not just about fighting corruption, but also about building political trust in military leaders. Xi wants generals who are not only “highly capable” but also fully committed to the Communist Party and its strategic vision.
Any hesitation or political inconsistency is seen as a threat to the country’s security and the achievement of its strategic goals.
Even as China has invested in building state-of-the-art equipment, corruption at the top of the military hierarchy could undermine the military’s effectiveness, making it critical to remove “unruly” officials.
As of April 2023, about 45 high-ranking officers, including former defense ministers and vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission, have been removed or are under investigation for corruption.
Most were promoted by Xi himself, underscoring his insistence on maintaining absolute control over the military.
The purges appear to be targeting strategically important sectors, such as the missile forces and state-owned defense industries, to ensure that critical modernization programs and the development of new weapons are not undermined by personal ambitions or illicit dealings.
The process is not only operational. It is also a political move.
Xi wants to ensure that the military hierarchy remains fully under his control, so that every military operation is carried out with precision and without question. At the same time, the purges demonstrate his strength against generals who may try to create their own networks of influence.
Analysts note that while previous leaders have tried to curb corruption, Xi has stricter requirements and more political capital, allowing him to carry out purges on a larger scale and intensity.
The removal and replacement of generals and officers is seen as essential to transforming the PLA into a truly effective, global military force.
Despite technological advances such as cutting-edge missiles and stealth fighters, the country’s leadership knows that administrative and moral coherence are key to the military’s credibility.
Xi continues to use his legacy, personal connections and political
control to ensure that military leaders do not gain independent power and that
the Chinese military’s goals remain firmly aligned with his vision of global
dominance and the return of Taiwan to its rule.
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