In a historic move, Chinese President Xi Jinping has initiated a sweeping purge within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), marking one of the most significant military shake-ups in the 76-year history of the People’s Republic of China. The purge, led by newly appointed PLA Vice Chairman Zhang Weisheng, has targeted high-ranking officials, including former Vice Chairman He Weidong, who was closely associated with Xi during his tenure in Fujian. Notably, no new PLA members were promoted to the Central Committee, signaling a potential demotion of the military’s political influence. The fate of Zhang Youxia, the first PLA vice chairman and a Politburo member, remains uncertain, though he is likely sidelined. This restructuring raises questions about the PLA’s role in China’s Taiwan strategy, with Xi possibly favoring a hybrid approach over direct military action. The purge’s origins trace back to the 2023 Chinese balloon incident, which exposed vulnerabilities in the PLA’s command structure. Over the past three years, Xi has systematically removed key defense officials, including Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, consolidating his control. The purge’s scale and duration suggest Xi’s intent to curb the PLA’s political clout, historically a kingmaker in Chinese politics. While the official justification is corruption, rumors of a potential coup attempt against Xi have fueled speculation. The move underscores Xi’s growing dominance, even as global tensions rise, and hints at a shift in the party-military dynamic, with the PLA’s influence potentially waning in favor of other party structures.