China’s military held a promotion ceremony on December 22, elevating Eastern Theater Command Commander Yang Zhibin and Central Theater Command Commander Han Shengyan to the rank of full general (上将). However, observers noted that many senior full generals who had previously been active in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were absent from the event, fueling speculation about internal turmoil within the military leadership.
According to state media, only four full generals — Zhang Youxia, Zhang Shengmin, Liu Zhenli, and Dong Jun — attended the ceremony, far fewer than at comparable events in past years. By contrast, a similar promotion ceremony one year earlier reportedly drew 20 full generals. This sharp drop suggests that as many as 16 generals, or roughly 80 percent of the PLA’s full generals, were absent, raising questions about whether they have been removed, sidelined, or are undergoing disciplinary investigations.
Further speculation intensified after two separate sources, on December 22 and December 25, reported that Dong Jun may also have fallen. According to these reports, he was removed from his post as Minister of National Defense and could face disciplinary investigation — a common mechanism in China for bringing down high-ranking officials. If confirmed, Dong could also lose his rank of full general. Sources:
1. Epoch Times, December 23, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/12/23/n14660764.htm
2. Epoch Times, December 26, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/12/26/n14662443.htm