By removing his most experienced commanders, Xi has reduced China's short-term operational readiness for a Taiwan conflict. However, the new generation of promoted generals could be more loyalist "wolf warriors," increasing long-term belligerence.

The unprecedented removal of top generals, including longtime confidants, suggests Xi feels his grip on the military is fragile. This is seen as a sign of weakness and concern over the loyalty and combat readiness of his top commanders.

Xi's purge of Zhang Yuxia, a close ally kept past retirement age, signals a new phase. He has moved from eliminating enemies and associates to being "pitiless with his friends," indicating a dangerous consolidation of power or growing paranoia.

Xi Jinping's widespread purges, aimed at consolidating power and rooting out corruption, have hollowed out the People's Liberation Army's experienced leadership. This creates a significant capabilities gap and operational readiness problem, potentially jeopardizing the military's ability to meet Xi's own 2027 deadline for being capable of invading Taiwan.

The investigation of General Zhang Youxia, a childhood friend and trusted ally of Xi Jinping, suggests the military purge extends beyond anti-corruption efforts. It points to a deeper concern with consolidating absolute authority, where even long-standing, powerful allies are seen as potential political threats that must be neutralized.

The purge's focus is on generals who "trampled on the chairman responsibility system," indicating a crackdown on challenges to Xi's direct, supreme command over the military, rather than a standard anti-graft campaign.

The official narrative of China's top general leaking nuclear secrets is likely a cover for a deeper power struggle between President Xi and the military establishment. The ongoing purges are a sign of internal conflict for control, making an invasion of Taiwan less likely due to a destabilized command structure.

China's strategy for Taiwan likely mirrors its 2019 Hong Kong takeover. Instead of a direct military assault, Beijing will use political influence, espionage, and legislative changes to create administrative bridges, making any physical resistance illegal before troops ever move in.

The recent purges have wiped out an entire generational cohort of PLA leaders, not just individuals. This creates a significant succession crisis and leadership vacuum, forcing Xi to promote a new, untested generation of officers with whom he has no established trust.