Xi Jinping’s Military Purge Hits Taiwan Invasion Plans

When China’s top leaders gathered in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People last month, the focus wasn’t on who was in the room — but who was missing.

At least 50 figures across China’s political and military system have been confirmed to have been pushed aside since Xi Jinping launched his anti-corruption campaign in 2012. (Photo: Defense Intelligence Agency 2019 China Military Power report) 

Photos from the major planning meeting, known as the Fourth Plenum, showed conspicuous rows of empty seats below the bright red curtains and national emblem, Allegra Mendelson reported for The Telegraph.

In fact, the meeting had the lowest attendance rate in almost 50 years. Nearly 20% of the Communist Party’s Central Committee and nearly half of the chief military organ — the Central Military Commission (CMC) — were absent.

Days before China’s leadership convened, the country’s defense ministry confirmed that nine senior generals had been fired. These included He Weidong, who had served as vice-chairman of the CMC and, as such, was the second-highest-ranking official in China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA)

At least 50 figures across China’s political and military system have been confirmed to have been pushed aside since Xi Jinping launched his anti-corruption campaign in 2012, but the seniority and expertise of the latest nine have fueled speculation surrounding Beijing’s military plans — or the lack thereof.

Xi has made clear that his top priority is the “reunification” of Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of force in bringing the country under Chinese rule.