Study Shows Xi’s Purges of China’s Military Run Deep

New York Times - WorldEN 4 min read 100% complete by Chris BuckleyFebruary 24, 2026 at 11:22 PM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

A recent study reveals that Chinese President Xi Jinping's military purges since 2022 have sidelined or removed approximately 100 senior officers, including those who commanded forces against Taiwan and led modernization efforts. The dismissals have impacted about half of the military's senior leadership, spanning top commanders and leaders across central departments and military regions. The study, conducted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, suggests the purges have created significant vacancies and negatively impacted military exercises. Experts believe this shakeup raises doubts about the People's Liberation Army's readiness for large-scale military campaigns, potentially including operations concerning Taiwan. The extensive purges have also shrunk the pool of qualified candidates to fill the vacant leadership positions.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 40% Washington 40% Central Military Commission 50% People's Liberation Army ×260% Taiwan ×270% Xi Jinping ×380% China ×380%

Keywords

military purges 90% people's liberation army 80% china 70% military leadership 70% xi jinping 70% military readiness 60% taiwan 60% senior officers 50% central military commission 40%