Chinese leader Xi Jinping calls for absolute political loyalty from military

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called on China's Armed Forces to maintain absolute political loyalty to the Communist Party and to resolutely combat corruption. He made the appeal during a meeting with military representatives in Beijing, as noted by Western news agencies. His words come as an expanding anti-corruption campaign within the military, described by media as an unprecedented purge, is underway. Xi stressed that the military must be unwaveringly loyal to the party, which is a key element of national security and stability. The Communist Party's control over the military, referred to as the principle of the party's leading role, has a long tradition dating back to the times of the communist revolution and Mao Zedong. Since the 1990s, alongside the modernization and professionalization of the military, the party has constantly emphasized the necessity of maintaining strict political control over the armed forces, fearing its autonomy. Bloomberg Business, citing anonymous sources, describes the ongoing actions as the largest purge in the Chinese military in decades. Its aim is reportedly to eliminate high-ranking officers who are perceived as potentially disloyal or corrupt. Reuters reports that Xi in his speech directly condemned dissidents within military ranks, although he did not mention specific names. The Independent points out that the anti-corruption campaign, initiated by Xi Jinping after he assumed power, is now expanding to the armed forces, which have traditionally been seen as a bastion of party loyalty, but also as an environment prone to abuses. „The military must be absolutely loyal, reliable, and trustworthy.” — Xi Jinping Xi's address is being analyzed as part of a broader strategy to strengthen his position. Since taking power in 2012, he has been waging a wide-ranging fight against corruption, which has already encompassed thousands of party and state officials. Directing it towards the military means extending this fight to another pillar of the system. La Vanguardia emphasizes that the call for loyalty aims not only to purify the ranks but also to prevent any attempts to weaken his authority. Western observers see these actions as a way to eliminate potential rivals and consolidate power in the face of internal economic and social challenges.