On October 17, 2025, a significant shift rocked China's political establishment as Beijing formally confirmed the removal of several senior military officials from both the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the armed forces. The most prominent figure affected was General He Weidong, who held the crucial position of Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC). This dramatic action is being framed as an extension of the sustained anti-corruption drive spearheaded by President Xi Jinping, signaling a profound overhaul of the power structure within the highest echelons of government.
The uncompromising nature of the current regime is underscored by the expulsion of nine officials in total, including He Weidong and eight members of the CPC Central Committee, from both the Party and the military ranks. General He Weidong, whose public visibility had ceased since March of the current year, was formally dismissed for “serious violations” of party discipline and “grave crimes related to official duties.” While the specifics of his alleged misconduct remain undisclosed, the sidelining of such an influential figure—one who was previously at the helm of military command—reaffirms that internal loyalty and ideological purity are paramount within the People's Liberation Army.
Defense Ministry Speaker Zhang Xiaogang provided the official narrative, stating that these severe actions against He Weidong and others demonstrate the unwavering commitment of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC to eradicate “impure elements.” This sweeping purge also claimed other high-ranking individuals, notably Miao Hua, the former head of the CMC Political Work Department. The Ministry of Defense confirmed that the criminal cases involving all the former leaders have been formally transferred to the military prosecutor’s office for thorough investigation.
Analysts suggest that these high-level military shake-ups, which some reports indicate constitute the most extensive purge of the general staff since the era of Mao Zedong, could carry significant ramifications for the overall readiness of the armed forces. This concern is heightened by He Weidong’s previous role leading the Eastern Theater Command, which holds primary responsibility for operations should tensions escalate regarding Taiwan. Beyond mere administrative reform, critics interpret these purges as the deliberate removal of political adversaries, a strategy designed to allow Chairman Xi Jinping to solidify his personal chain of command and centralize authority.
The shifting focus within the military establishment, where unquestioning personal loyalty is now the defining metric, marks the beginning of a new chapter in China’s internal stability dynamics. Observers are closely watching which new personnel will fill the vacancies within the CMC, which reportedly now retains only four members—a historical low since the time of Mao. These critical personnel decisions are being finalized immediately preceding the Fourth Plenary Session of the CPC Central Committee, an event slated to outline the nation's strategic objectives for the upcoming five-year period.