Reshuffle Reveals Fragile Balance of Power in China’s Military

News Analysis

As China reshuffles its military leadership, the appointment of Gen. Zhang Shengmin as vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) is widely seen as a temporary compromise between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and senior military figure Zhang Youxia.

Analysts have said that the move reflects a fragile balance of power within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), although deep-rooted factional tensions persist.

Compromise Between 2 Power Centers

An insider from China told The Epoch Times on the condition of anonymity that Zhang Shengmin’s promotion resulted from a compromise between Xi and Zhang Youxia.

Although Zhang Shengmin hails from Xi’s home province of Shaanxi, his career roots lie in the PLA Rocket Force, where he rose through the ranks under Zhang Youxia’s mentorship.

“Zhang Shengmin is seen as a centrist figure [because] he doesn’t directly challenge either side,” the insider said. “That makes him the safest choice in the current power struggle [between Xi and Zhang Youxia].”

Military analysts have cautioned that the appointment does not mean Xi’s tug-of-war with the armed forces is over. The sweeping purge and reshuffle within the Rocket Force reflect Xi’s ongoing effort to consolidate control amid resistance from the military ranks, they said.

Balancing Technocrats and Political Loyalists

A Chinese military scholar told The Epoch Times that Zhang Shengmin’s rise underscores the delicate balance between the PLA’s technical officers and its political loyalists. The Rocket Force, which oversees China’s strategic missile arsenal, has become central to both China’s deterrence strategy and the internal power dynamics of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

“Zhang’s promotion may temporarily ease tensions,” the scholar said. “But the rift between Xi and the military hasn’t disappeared. Future succession planning will still be shaped by this divide.”

Public records show that Zhang Shengmin has spent most of his career in the Rocket Force, an increasingly powerful branch within the PLA. Observers have said that although his appointment represents a power compromise, it does little to address the structural conflict between the CCP’s political leadership and the military’s operational command, a struggle over who ultimately controls the narrative and has authority.

One of the Deepest Purges Since the Cultural Revolution

Multiple observers in China have described the current campaign as one of the most extensive internal purges in the Chinese military since the Cultural Revolution. Some argue that what began as factional infighting has evolved into a struggle for decision-making dominance.

Although Zhang Youxia remains only the CMC vice chairman, the “technocrat faction” he represents continues to wield influence through its expertise and control over military logistics and technology. However, insiders have said that Zhang Youxia’s influence is now constrained, as Xi dominates the Party and propaganda apparatus.

“Zhang Youxia still commands respect within the ranks, but he lacks political and administrative backing,” one insider told The Epoch Times. “Xi has the advantage politically and in the [CCP’s] propaganda wing.”

Outside of China, analysts have raised questions about the Party’s ability to maintain a stable command structure in wartime.

A report from the RAND Corporation earlier this year said that the priority of China’s armed forces to uphold the CCP’s rule is hindering operational readiness and undermining the credibility of Beijing’s overall military deterrence.

Looking Ahead

Although Zhang Shengmin’s appointment may have won temporary acceptance from both sides, one insider said he believes that the contest between Xi and the military is far from over. The outcome, according to him, will shape not only the PLA’s internal hierarchy but also the power structure of China’s top leadership in the years to come.

When asked whether Zhang Shengmin leans more toward Xi or Zhang Youxia, the insider told The Epoch Times, “He’s closer to Zhang Youxia because that reflects the sentiment of most people within the military.”

The vice chairmanship of the CMC is one of the highest positions in China’s armed forces and often serves as a political barometer for Beijing’s leadership. As of now, the CCP has not made any further remarks on Zhang Shengmin’s appointment or the broader reshuffle within the PLA.

Yue Li contributed to this report.