Raju Korti
The recent removal of a senior
figure from China’s military command marks far more than another episode in
Beijing’s long-running anti-corruption campaign. It signals the near completion
of Xi Jinping’s project to bring the People’s Liberation Army fully under the
control of the Party, and ultimately under himself. For the first time since
the founding of the People’s Republic, the armed forces are no longer a
semi-autonomous power broker but a disciplined extension of the top leadership.
This shift fundamentally alters the balance within the Chinese Communist Party. Historically, military leaders held immense political leverage, often acting as kingmakers during moments of transition or crisis. By systematically purging senior officers and dismantling entrenched networks, Xi has neutralised that parallel centre of power. The result is an unprecedented concentration of authority in one individual, surpassing even the dominance enjoyed by Mao in institutional terms.
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| Xi Pic Wkipedia grab |
Internally, this consolidation brings both stability and fragility. On one hand, Xi now faces little organised resistance. Rival factions have been weakened, bargaining power within the Party has shrunk, and the path to shaping the next Party Congress appears firmly under his control. On the other hand, governance in such a tightly centralised system increasingly depends on personal loyalty rather than institutional feedback. Fear-driven compliance may deliver short-term order, but it risks suppressing honest counsel, policy correction and early warning of crises.
The purges also expose deep structural problems within China’s military, particularly corruption that had hollowed out readiness and credibility. Cleaning up the system strengthens Xi’s control but simultaneously reveals how fragile some of China’s hard power capabilities may have been beneath the surface. A military under tighter discipline may be more obedient, yet the disruption caused by large-scale removals can temporarily weaken cohesion and effectiveness.
For the broader political system, the message is clear: the era of collective leadership has effectively ended. Decision-making is now intensely personalised. This creates clarity in command but amplifies the consequences of miscalculation. With fewer internal checks, strategic choices will increasingly reflect Xi’s personal reading of risks, threats and opportunities.
Externally, this concentration of power introduces uncertainty. Regional tensions are rising, with several neighbouring countries adopting firmer postures toward Beijing. At the same time, China faces a fluid global environment shaped by great power rivalry, economic pressures and ongoing conflicts that affect its diplomatic space.
For Southeast Asia, Xi’s strengthened grip is a double-edged development. It could bring more predictable long-term strategy from Beijing, but also faster, more decisive moves when China feels challenged. Without internal counterweights, responses to territorial disputes, alliance shifts or perceived encirclement may become sharper and less restrained.
Whether China is entering a period of hardened stability or heightened volatility remains unclear. Xi now possesses unmatched authority over party, state and military. History suggests such concentration can produce bold reforms or dramatic overreach. What is certain is that China has moved into uncharted political territory, where the fate of a vast system is increasingly tied to the instincts of a single leader.
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