During a recent meeting of the National People's Congress, Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored the importance of unity and loyalty within the People's Liberation Army (PLA), following the fall of a high-ranking military official due to corruption. He reiterated that anyone harboring intentions contrary to the Party should not be in the military, advocating for an unwavering anti-corruption campaign. Xi's statements come as the PLA prepares for the 100th anniversary of its establishment in 2027, marking a critical period for military modernization and political alignment with the Party's directives.

Xi emphasized the necessity of 'political building' within the armed forces, which involves strengthening the Party's absolute leadership over the military. He pointed out that achieving high-quality military modernization during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) should be a top priority. Alongside military modernization, he called for enhancing the political backbone of the army to ensure total obedience to the Party's leadership. This affirmation of loyalty is particularly significant given the recent reshuffling among the military's top brass due to failures in governance and ethical breaches.

Additionally, the military leadership echoed Xi's sentiments during discussions at the Congress, where General Zhang Youxia, remaining vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for strengthening political discipline and furthering anti-corruption efforts within the military ranks. Zhang highlighted this year as vital for reaching the PLA's centennial goals and urged adherence to Xi Jinping's military philosophy. The messaging from both Xi and the military leadership signals a concerted effort to reinforce ideological commitment and readiness among the armed forces as China approaches significant military milestones.