China's Politburo expelled senior commanders Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from the Communist Party and the military, and analysts say the purge may weaken readiness for operations such as a Taiwan contingency while strengthening Xi Jinping's control.
Five seats remain vacant on the Central Military Commission's seven-member ruling panel, although second-line officers have filled key military posts. China continues its current defense posture, weapons tests and increasingly complex exercises; analyst Ruby Osman said routine operations had been insulated from the turmoil.
Investigations into Zhang and Liu were first disclosed in January, but formal punishments have not been announced. Singapore-based scholar James Char said he does not expect the commission's top panel to be filled until the Communist Party's full congress in late 2027; he said the delay could hamper engagement with foreign militaries.
