Following one of the most sweeping purges of China’s military leadership in recent history, the Central Military Commission (CMC), chaired by Xi Jinping, has issued 26 new measures to tighten oversight and ideological control over senior officers.
State media reported Wednesday that the new regulations aim to enforce strict discipline through “iron rules” governing the education, management, and supervision of high-ranking military officials. The rules emphasize strengthening Communist Party collective leadership, improving political screening during officer selection, and deepening “ideological rectification” campaigns.
The announcement comes amid Xi’s second wave of military purges, which has effectively decimated China’s top brass. On May 7, former Defense Ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu were both sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve. Among the seven CMC members, only two remain active, while Zhang Youxia — once considered Xi’s closest confidant and the CMC’s First Vice Chairman — is currently under investigation.
The scale of the purge has raised serious questions internationally about the combat readiness of the People’s Liberation Army, particularly since nearly all of the fallen generals were personally vetted and promoted by Xi himself.
State media did not release the full text of the new measures, but CCTV reported they will set clear guidelines on Party oversight of senior officers, personnel selection, and political education. A recurring theme is ensuring strict adherence to the principle that “the Party commands the gun” — not the reverse.
The charges against Zhang Youxia are illustrative: a PLA Daily editorial accused him of five serious failures, nearly all centered on insufficient absolute loyalty and obedience to Xi. Analysts note that the continued purges and the new regulations both point to a fundamental and unresolved trust problem between Xi and his own military leadership.
Source: Radio France International, May 28, 2026
https://rfi.my/CjvS