Fall of the ‘Fujian clique’ – What China’s military shake-up signals for Xi’s grip on the armed forces

According to Lim from Soka University, talk circulating in Beijing suggests that competition between the Fujian clique and other factions may have played a role in their purge, even as he cautioned that China’s “opaque” political system makes them nearly impossible to verify.

Lim added that international observers have speculated on whether the ongoing military reshuffle could influence Beijing’s Taiwan strategy, given that the Fujian-linked commanders once oversaw operations across the strait.

“One school of thought, particularly from the West, says this will probably delay any plans regarding cross-strait contingencies or other configurations,” he said.

“But again, this is all speculation and conjecture.”

CONSOLIDATING AUTHORITY, MAINTAINING STABILITY

The reshuffle concurrently signals a consolidation of power under Xi, who heads the party, the state and the military, analysts said.

Lin Ying-yu, an assistant professor at the Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies at Tamkang University in Taiwan, believes the decision to leave vacancies on the CMC unfilled appears deliberate.

“Xi is centralising power and deliberately keeping the structure tight,” he told CNA.

Aside from Xi and Zhang Shengmin, the other two sitting members of the CMC are Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli.

Zhang Youxia, 74, is the senior vice chair of the CMC and one of Xi’s longest-serving allies in the armed forces. A career army officer and war veteran, he oversees military operations, training and weapons procurement within the PLA. His ties with Xi run deep, with their fathers being revolutionary comrades.