The Intelligence from The Economist General ejection: China’s military purge
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Jan 27, 2026 
Shira Aviona, a business and tech reporter at The Economist, explains Strava’s surge, social features and IPO plans. Sarah Larnuk, deputy editor reporting from Kyiv, recounts life under winter attacks, power and water cuts, and community coping. They also probe a startling shake-up in China’s military leadership and what it means for Beijing’s stability.
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Leadership Vacuum At China's Military Top
- Xi Jinping's purge has hollowed out the PLA's top ranks, leaving only two active members on the Central Military Commission.
- This concentrated leadership raises risks to military expertise and the image of stability ahead of key 2027 deadlines.
Even Trusted Princelings Aren't Safe
- Zhang Yuxia was a trusted princeling promoted repeatedly by Xi Jinping and kept beyond retirement age.
- His investigation signals that even long-standing personal ties no longer guarantee protection.
Removal Of A Connected Military Bloc
- Liu Zhenli leads the Joint Staff Department which runs operations and intelligence and is linked to Zhang Yuxia.
- Their linked investigations suggest a coordinated removal of a connected power bloc within the PLA.