“The Party commands the gun. The gun must never be allowed to command the Party.”
— Xi Jinping, 20th National Congress of the CCP, October 2022
THE POWER MOVE
In January 2026, Xi Jinping completed his most decisive consolidation of power yet:
He now stands alone atop China’s military hierarchy. Over the past three years, 5 of 6 top generals in the Central Military Commission (CMC)—the body controlling the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)—have been purged, arrested, or sidelined. The latest casualty: General Zhang Youxia, Xi’s childhood friend and former vice-chairman of the CMC, detained on charges of corruption and "disloyalty."
This is not a routine anti-graft campaign.
It is a strategic decapitation.
Xi has replaced dissent with loyalty, experience with obedience, and institutional checks with personal authority. The PLA is now his to command—without question, without delay, without rival.
THE FLIP SIDE: WEAKNESS IN STRENGTH
Absolute control comes with absolute risks:
The purges have removed the PLA’s institutional memory, its strategic diversity, and its ability to challenge flawed decisions.
Analysts warn:
- Loyalty ≠ competence. Promotions now depend on political reliability, not military skill.
- No dissent = no reality checks. Taiwan invasion plans may proceed unchallenged—regardless of feasibility.
- The PLA is a black box. Foreign intelligence agencies report growing confusion over who actually makes decisions in Beijing.
Xi’s military is now more obedient, but less effective—a dangerous combination when stakes are existential.
THE TAIWAN PARADOX
The purges were not just about control.
They were about removing obstacles to Taiwan’s annexation.
General Zhang Youxia, before his arrest, reportedly advocated for a 2035 timeline for "reunification." Xi’s timeline is rumored to be 2027—just 18 months from now.
With opposition silenced, the PLA’s Taiwan playbook is accelerating. But the risks are mounting:
| Factor | 2023 Assessment | 2026 Reality |
|---|---|---|
| PLA Readiness | "Rapid modernization, but institutional balance" | "Hollowed-out command structure, loyalty over skill" |
| Taiwan Timeline | "2035–2040 (consensus-driven)" | "2027 (Xi’s personal deadline)" |
| U.S. Deterrence | "Strong but predictable" | "Uncertain—PLA decision-making is now a black box" |
The result?
A high-risk gambit where the only certainty is Xi’s determination—and the PLA’s unprecedented vulnerability to miscalculation.
THE CONTROL STACK READS THIS AS:
Xi’s purges reveal the ultimate contradiction of authoritarian control:
The more power you concentrate, the more fragile the system becomes.
- Level 1: Operational — The PLA may follow orders, but can it execute a complex invasion?
- Level 2: Strategic — With no dissent allowed, who dares tell Xi his plan is flawed?
- Level 3: Political — A failed Taiwan gambit could collapse the CCP’s legitimacy overnight.
This is not strength.
It is brutal efficiency masking existential risk.
WHY THIS SIGNAL MATTERS NOW
The world is watching two clocks:
- Xi’s political clock — He has staked his legacy on Taiwan. Delay is defeat.
- The PLA’s operational clock — Its ability to execute is untested and degrading.
Meanwhile:
- The U.S. is repositioning forces in the Philippines and Japan.
- Taiwan is doubling defense spending on asymmetric weapons.
- China’s economy is stagnating, increasing Xi’s need for a "win."
The stage is set for a 2027 showdown—not because the PLA is ready, but because Xi has no other choice.
CONCLUSION: THE DANGER OF ONE-MAN RULE
Xi’s control over the PLA is now absolute.
But history teaches a cruel lesson:
The most dangerous moment for a bad regime is when it starts to reform itself.
The second most dangerous moment? When it believes it has nothing left to lose.
Taiwan is not just a territorial dispute.
It is the ultimate test of Xi’s gambit:
Can a system built on fear, loyalty, and one man’s will outmaneuver a world that still runs on institutions, alliances, and rules?
The answer will define the 21st century.
And the countdown has already begun.
SOURCES & FURTHER READING
— The Control Stack
February 1, 2026
