Xi Demands Political Purity for PLA Centenary Goal

Chinese President Xi Jinping calls for senior PLA officers to intensify ideological rectification and political loyalty following sweeping anti-corruption efforts, aiming to achieve a disciplined, corruption-free military by the PLA centenary in 2023.

President Xi Jinping ordered senior officers of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to deepen ideological rectification and enhance political refinement on Wednesday. This comes as part of Beijing’s broader anti-corruption campaign within the military to prepare for the PLA’s 100th anniversary in 2023. Xi emphasized the need for officers to maintain absolute political loyalty to the Communist Party while rejecting any form of self-interest or corruption.

The campaign aims to purge corruption at all levels within the PLA, which has long been a priority for the Chinese leadership to ensure a disciplined and effective military force. Since Xi took power, thousands of officers have been investigated, prosecuted, or demoted.

Strategically, this ideological tightening reinforces the Chinese Communist Party’s absolute control over the PLA during a time of rising regional tensions and growing great power competition. By enforcing political orthodoxy among senior officers, China aims to ensure that the military remains a reliable instrument of party policy.

Operationally, this political rectification involves regular inspections, political education, and strict anti-corruption measures. The campaign targets both high-ranking generals and mid-level commanders suspected of graft or factionalism, with an emphasis on loyalty and discipline.

Looking ahead, this will likely consolidate the PLA’s command structure ahead of intensified security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and around Taiwan. However, the campaign’s severity also risks internal factional tensions and morale issues among officers caught up in investigations.