U.S. President Joe Biden recently made a statement, revealing that Chinese leader Xi Jinping was unaware of a spy balloon that floated across North America. This incident has been seen as a sign of disunity between Xi and elements of the Chinese regime’s military. The spy balloon, which was shot down by the U.S. military in February, contained significant amounts of spy equipment and had direct ties to the Chinese military.
During a fundraiser in California on June 20, President Biden explained that Xi was upset because he had no prior knowledge of the spy balloon. Biden referred to this as a great embarrassment for dictators when they don’t know what is happening within their own country. U.S. officials have implicated the Chinese military in the spy balloon operation, accusing them of using these balloons as part of their global military surveillance program.
Li Yanming, a China expert based in the United States, has pointed out that there have been several recent abnormalities within the Chinese Communist Party’s military. He suggests that there are still anti-Xi forces within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and that the instability within the military is a cause of concern for Xi. Cases of strict regulation of military leaders’ social activities and the release of inside information about the death sentence of retired PLA air force general Liu Yazhou suggest that the CCP’s military is currently undergoing an intense purge.
Li believes that the military has long been controlled by the faction led by former CCP dictator Jiang Zemin. However, with the exposure of Jiang’s attempted coup against Xi and the fall of Bo Xilai and Zhou Yongkang, it is clear that the military was deeply involved. Xi has been investigating Jiang’s inner circle within the PLA since the CCP’s 18th Party Congress in 2012. Despite these efforts, remnants of the Jiang faction still exist within the military, with many serving senior military officers beginning their careers under Jiang’s rule. Additionally, the CCP’s red families and princelings hold considerable power within the military.
The situation within the PLA is important to monitor, as it can have significant implications for the Taiwan Strait situation and Sino-U.S. relations. Li points out that there are differing voices within the military on sensitive topics such as attacking Taiwan by force and potential military confrontations with the United States. The instability within the military has become a worrisome issue for Xi, especially given the current internal and external difficulties faced by the regime.
In June, the PLA issued new regulations regarding social networking specifically for military officers. These regulations, described as unprecedented, require military leaders to manage their social connections carefully. The PLA Daily stated that the regulations aim to “constantly purify” the social circle, life circle, and friend circle of leading PLA cadres. These rules will also apply to retired generals, who have a significant influence on younger cadres. The issuance of these guidelines reflects the CCP’s efforts to maintain control and eliminate any influence that may detract from their authority.
The PLA Daily has published several commentaries denouncing former military officials Guo Boxiong, Xu Caihou, Fang Fenghui, and Zhang Yang, referring to their influence as “poisonous.” These commentaries emphasize the necessity of eliminating their influence within the military. This, along with the PLA’s focus on upholding the CCP’s “absolute leadership,” showcases the party’s efforts to consolidate their control and remove any dissenting voices.
In March, reports surfaced stating that former air force general Liu Yazhou had been sentenced to death by Chinese authorities. Liu, who held considerable influence within the military, was found to be linked to significant acts of corruption. The authorities have tried to keep his case secret due to his influence. However, steps have been taken to eliminate his influence within the army, such as requesting the removal of any materials related to Liu and conducting self-censorship within military units.
While these developments within the Chinese military indicate a potential power struggle and divisions among the leadership, it is crucial to monitor how these dynamics will influence the Taiwan Strait situation, Sino-U.S. relations, and the CCP’s high-level politics. The instability within the military raises concerns about the potential for military confrontation and further challenges for Xi Jinping’s leadership.
Source link
