The collective absence of members of the Central Military Commission (CMC)—the top defense command and decision-making body of the Chinese regime’s military—at the 99th anniversary banquet of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has drawn wide attention. Analysts who spoke with The Epoch Times said it reflects the impact of the ongoing purge of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping, and that he hasn’t yet fully consolidated control over the military.
The CCP’s Ministry of National Defense held an “August 1 Army Day” reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 31. State media Xinhua reported that Defense Minister Dong Jun attended and delivered a speech. However, no mention was made of Zhang Shengmin, a vice chairman of the CMC and, besides Xi, the sole remaining member of the CMC. The official report said only that “leaders from various departments of the Central Military Commission organs and relevant military units stationed in Beijing” attended the event. …
Top Generals’ Rare Collective Absence From CCP Military’s Annual Banquet Shows Impact of Xi’s Purge
