Xi faces growing challenges within Chinese military as key generals absent from party meeting

Signs of discord are emerging at the top of China’s military establishment, with a sharp rise in absences among senior officers during the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) Fourth Plenum of the 20th Central Committee. According to ANI, citing foreign media reports, the unusually high number of missing People’s Liberation Army (PLA) officials has renewed questions about President Xi Jinping’s grip on the armed forces and the stability of China’s leadership.

Record absences at CCP plenum

Reports said only 168 of the 205 full Central Committee members attended the plenum, meaning 36 were absent. Along with 24 missing alternate members, the total reached 60 — nearly 18 per cent of the Central Committee. This marks the lowest attendance at such a high-level party meeting since Xi came to power in 2012.

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What stood out most was the PLA’s poor attendance: 27 of its 42 representatives were missing, including 22 generals - a striking 63 per cent absence rate. Among them were Navy Commander Hu Zhongming, Northern Theatre Commander Huang Ming, and Eastern Theatre Political Commissar Liu Qingsong.

Purge deepens amid corruption probes

The absences follow a wide-ranging anti-corruption campaign within China’s military. Since the CCP’s 20th Congress in 2022, at least 14 senior generals have reportedly been removed or investigated, including former defence ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe. The purge has spread across key branches such as the Rocket Force and Strategic Support Force — both central to China’s nuclear and cyber capabilities.

During the plenum, Zhang Shengmin, head of the Central Military Commission’s (CMC) Discipline Inspection Commission, was promoted to vice chairman, replacing He Weidong. However, Zhang’s elevation leaves another key watchdog post vacant, suggesting that the reshuffle within the military leadership remains incomplete.

Fractures in Xi’s inner circle

Xi’s campaign to tighten political control over the PLA may be fuelling mistrust and fear among officers. Some insiders pointed to a growing power struggle between Xi and CMC Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia, who represents a more technocratic wing of the military leadership.

Kou Chien-wen of Taiwan’s National Chengchi University told foreign media that the investigations have delayed new appointments because “no one can be fully trusted”.

Growing unease over leadership stability

The Fourth Plenum, meant to reinforce unity and confidence in the CCP’s leadership, instead revealed the fragility within China’s ruling structure. The combination of purges, missing leaders, and stalled appointments has deepened doubts about Xi’s ability to maintain cohesion in the armed forces - the very institution central to his authority.