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The position of commander of the Beijing Garrison Command had been vacant for approximately ten months before recent public information indicated that Chen Yuan, formerly commander of the Shanghai Armed Police Contingent, has been appointed to the post. The Beijing Garrison Command is responsible for securing China’s top leadership as well as central Party and state institutions, and it reports directly to the Central Military Commission (CMC).

Chen’s predecessor, Fu Wenhua, was reassigned as deputy commander of the People’s Armed Police in March last year. Fu was widely regarded as a former subordinate of CMC Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia, who fell from power in January. Analysts note that the extended vacancy and the timing of Chen’s appointment coincided with the period leading up to Zhang’s removal.

Commentators have described Chen’s appointment as unusual, given that he comes from the People’s Armed Police rather than the People’s Liberation Army. They argue that this may reflect an effort by Xi Jinping to distance key internal security positions from military networks associated with figures such as Zhang Youxia or Miao Hua.

{Editor’s Note: Unverified rumors had been widely circulating online that the death of former Premier Li Keqiang in Shanghai was out of Xi’s order; Chen Yuan and Shanghai Armed Police were allegedly involved in it.}

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), February 7, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202602070147.aspx

Following Beijing’s announcement on January 24 of the downfall of Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and Chief of Staff Liu Zhenli, the Chinese military remained notably silent in publicly expressing support for the decision.

On January 31, PLA Daily published a commentary on the case. While framed on the surface as an anti-corruption article, the piece was laden with strong political messaging. Below are excerpts from People’s Daily, which republished the commentary, along with key interpretations.

The article characterizes the cases of Zhang and Liu not merely as corruption cases, but as political cases, signaling that they are viewed as antagonistic enemies of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), rather than as participants in a non-antagonistic internal disciplinary violation, which corruption cases typically represent. It states:

“This decision to place Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli under case filing, review, and investigation is … a resolute struggle to eliminate major political hidden dangers.”
“They will ultimately be forever nailed to the pillar of shame in history.”

Editor’s Note: “Nailed to the pillar of shame in history” (钉在历史的耻辱柱上) is a particularly severe CCP expression, typically reserved for figures deemed politically hostile or fundamentally opposed to the Party.

The commentary also signals a broader purge of individuals connected to Zhang and Liu:

“Resolutely investigating and punishing Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli is of great significance for pushing the people’s armed forces to eradicate the root causes of spreading toxins and to achieve renewal and rebirth.”

Editor’s Note: “Spreading toxins” (流毒) is a CCP term commonly used to describe the lingering influence of a disgraced leader and the networks or factions associated with them.

The article further warns military personnel:

“As for those who show no sense of awe and test the law with their own actions, whoever is involved will be investigated, and however deep the entanglements run will be thoroughly unearthed. Party members and cadres in the military, especially leading cadres, must always harbor a sense of awe, abandon any illusion of luck, and not act without restraint or fail to know when to stop. They must keep firmly in mind the principle that ‘hands must not reach out—once you do, you will surely be caught,’ take the lead in observing discipline and the law, and exercise strict self-discipline.”

The commentary concludes by placing strong emphasis on ideological and political loyalty to Xi Jinping:

“The entire military must adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as its guide, thoroughly implement Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military, fully carry out the political strategy for building the military in the new era, uphold the Party’s absolute leadership over the people’s armed forces, deeply grasp the decisive significance of the ‘Two Establishes,’ strengthen the ‘Four Consciousnesses,’ bolster the ‘Four Confidences,’ and achieve the ‘Two Upholds,’ implement the responsibility system of the CMC Chairman, and resolutely obey Chairman Xi’s command, be responsible to Chairman Xi, and reassure Chairman Xi.”

Source: People’s Daily, January 31, 2026
http://military.people.com.cn/n1/2026/0131/c1011-40656924.html

As of January 29, more than five days have passed since Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were brought down, the Chinese military as a whole has issued no public statement of support yet. By contrast, when former Central Military Commission (CMC) vice chairmen Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong fell from power in 2014 and 2015, the military swiftly declared its “support for the central leadership’s decision” the following day.

Multiple sources close to the Chinese military say that officers and soldiers privately questioned whether detaining Zhang and Liu without publicly releasing evidence amounted to a political purge. This has seriously shaken confidence within the ranks in top-level decision-making and sparked strong discontent among personnel across several theater commands.

Military insiders further disclosed that a number of directives issued by the CMC have encountered widespread resistance at the grassroots level, leaving orders effectively unenforced. Among rank-and-file troops, some have even been heard referring to Xi Jinping as “Baozi,” a nickname commonly used by the public to mock him.

{Editor’s Note: Senior officials may fear that a large-scale purge of officers with close ties to Zhang and Liu is inevitable. As a result, even those who publicly express support may not avoid being targeted themselves.}

Source: NTDTV, January 30, 2026
https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2026/01/29/a104061477.html