Chinese President Xi Jinping stated on Saturday that there must be no room in the military for those who harbor disloyalty toward the party, nor any place for corrupt officials to hide. He delivered the remarks to delegates from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and People's Armed Police Force during a plenary meeting at the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing.

Xi's comments come amid the largest purge of China's military leadership in decades, targeting corruption and political unreliability. The campaign, which escalated since 2023, has seen at least 36 senior generals and lieutenant generals officially purged, with 65 more potentially under investigation based on absences from key meetings. The Rocket Force has been hit hardest, with all four past commanders removed, along with numerous deputies and political commissars.

Recent actions include the January 2026 ouster of top generals such as Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and Joint Staff Department Chief Liu Zhenli, both accused of serious violations. In February, China removed nine military officials and later stripped 10 PLA officers of their delegate roles ahead of the Two Sessions. The purges have affected nearly every branch, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, theater commands, and Central Military Commission departments, leaving dozens of key positions vacant or filled by interim leaders.

Xi emphasized enhancing political loyalty to advance defense modernization and root out corruption, stating there is no place for it to hide and that the fight must move forward. The speech underscores the Communist Party's absolute leadership over the armed forces, a core principle under Xi's rule.

Analyses indicate the purges address procurement corruption, patronage networks, and loyalty issues that could undermine military readiness. While daily operations continue, large-scale exercises have faced delays and reductions, such as shorter Taiwan-related drills in 2025. The campaign has decimated Xi's own promotions, with 87% of generals elevated since 2022 affected.

The Two Sessions, China's key annual political gatherings, opened this week amid economic discussions and further signals of Xi's consolidation of control over the PLA.