China’s Ministry of Defense announced that it has opened an investigation into Liu Zhenli, a member of the Central Military Commission and the overall head of the Joint Staff Department, the body responsible for strike planning and operational command.
The move comes amid what appears to be a deep and widening purge inside the People's Liberation Army, as Beijing conducts sweeping internal reviews targeting senior military leadership. Over the past months, multiple high-ranking officers have disappeared from public view or been quietly removed, signaling growing concern at the very top over loyalty, discipline, and control.
A STRATEGIC SHOCKWAVE FROM US MILITARY DOMINANCE
According to regional analysts, the timing is not coincidental. The clear military superiority demonstrated by the United States in recent global theaters — including decisive force projection and rapid operational dominance — is reportedly having a psychological and strategic impact on Chinese military planners. In particular, Washington’s ability to apply pressure and deter adversaries without prolonged conflict has intensified internal debates within Beijing’s defense establishment.