Recent purges within the upper echelons of China’s armed forces, as orchestrated by President Xi Jinping, represent a significant shift in governance style and power dynamics, according to Finnish China experts. Xi has become increasingly aggressive in consolidating power, making it clear that no high-ranking official is safe from scrutiny or investigation under his leadership. This marks a departure from previous norms where key figures might precede corrosion within the party uncontested.

The investigations into generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, announced by the Ministry of Defense last weekend, highlight a troubling trend within the Communist Party. These generals were accused of betraying the party's trust and causing political and corruption-related issues which threatened the party's absolute power over the military. Such actions point to potential instability within the party’s power structures and serve as a warning sign about Xi's uncompromising stance towards loyalty and accountability. Careful observers see this as a move that signals both a tightening grip and the potential purging of factions within the armed forces.

Furthermore, the fact that General Zhang, who has been a close associate of Xi for decades, is under investigation indicates that Xi's purge transcends typical boundaries. Zhang is part of the “princeling” faction of the Communist Party, which includes descendants of the old power elite. This could foreseeably create rifts or infighting within the party as Xi eliminates allies and adversaries alike, raising concerns about the military’s influence and the future of civil-military relations in China.