The Peter Zeihan Podcast Series

Xi Purges Chinese Military of Corruption…Kinda || Peter Zeihan

Jul 9, 2025
Xi Jinping's anti-corruption drive heats up as General Miao becomes the eighth military official to be purged. This crackdown serves a dual purpose: tackling corruption and solidifying Xi's political grip. However, the implications for military stability raise eyebrows. The discussion dives into how these purges might affect China's military effectiveness and the overall power dynamics within the country.
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INSIGHT

Xi Jinping's Military Purge Reveals Chaos in China's Command

Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign within the Chinese military has led to the purge of the eighth member of the Central Military Commission (CMC), including top generals like General Miao.

This campaign, which started with political rivals, now targets corruption that is particularly rampant in the military, but also serves to consolidate political control since the CMC is a Communist Party-run body.

The high turnover and thorough purges within the six-person CMC expose serious issues in leadership quality and raise doubts about the Chinese military's true effectiveness.

Peter Zeihan highlights that with party ideologues controlling decisions and frequent leadership purges, the Chinese military's official capabilities likely overstate what the state can truly execute.

INSIGHT

Purges Weaken Chinese Military

  • Purges within the Chinese military leadership reveal both legitimate corruption issues and political maneuvering.
  • These purges impair the effectiveness and continuity of military decision-making.
INSIGHT

CMC's Political Control and Instability

  • The CMC operates as a combined military-political body controlled by the Communist Party.
  • Frequent purges indicate instability and poor quality in top Chinese military leadership.
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