Xi Jinping replaces leaders of China's elite nuclear force

China has undergone a significant leadership change within its elite unit responsible for managing the nuclear arsenal, leading to speculation about a purge. General Li Yuchao, the former head of the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Rocket Force unit, and his deputy had been absent for several months, prompting their replacements.

The new leaders are former deputy navy chief Wang Houbin and party central committee member Xu Xisheng, who were appointed to their positions, marking the most significant unplanned shake-up in Beijing’s military leadership in nearly a decade.

This shake-up comes at a critical time as China is undergoing significant changes in its nuclear strategy. President Xi Jinping has already consolidated control over the PLA in unprecedented ways, but he remains concerned about corruption within the ranks and ensuring absolute loyalty to the party.

Xi Jinping, who is also the chairman of China’s top military command, the Central Military Commission, emphasized the importance of maintaining the party’s absolute leadership over the military during a recent meeting.

Although there has been no official comment from Beijing about the whereabouts of the ousted leaders, there are reports suggesting an investigation into Gen Li, his deputy Gen Liu Guangbin, and Gen Li’s former deputy Zhang Zhenzhong by the commission’s anti-corruption arm.

The appointments of Mr. Wang and Mr. Xu to their new positions were made just before the 96th anniversary of the PLA’s founding. Both officers have been promoted to the rank of full general, the highest rank for active service officers in China.

This recent leadership change, along with the replacement of former foreign minister Qin Gang, poses one of the most significant challenges to President Xi’s leadership in recent times. Mr. Qin had been absent from public commitments before being replaced without any explanation given for his removal.

In the past, China witnessed a large-scale purge among its military ranks in 2014, which led to the ousting and prosecution of former deputy chairs of the Central Military Commission, Xu Caihou, and Guo Boxiong, on corruption charges. Guo was sentenced to life in jail by a military court, while Xu passed away before his trial.