Following China’s announcement of an inquiry into one of its most senior officials, Taiwan is keeping a close eye on events that may have an impact on cross-strait security. On January 24, China’s defense ministry said that General Zhang Youxia, a Politburo member and vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and another senior officer were being investigated for “suspected serious violations of discipline and law.” Zhang, 75, is essentially President Xi Jinping’s No. 2 in the military and is considered by many to be his closest military ally. He holds the position of first-ranked vice-chair of the CMC, which Xi leads as China’s highest military authority.
Taiwan’s defense minister, Wellington Koo, informed lawmakers that Taiwan would “continue to closely monitor abnormal changes among the top levels of China’s party, government, and military leadership” and that Taiwan would not let up because “China has never abandoned the use of force against Taiwan.” China frequently sends fighter planes and warships across Taiwan’s air defense zone and adjacent waterways, a harassment campaign Taipei claims is intended to sardi to Hai Nahin idhar se a a intimidate Taiwan into accepting Beijing’s authority. Taiwan’s military regularly monitors Chinese operations near the island. An already difficult position is made more precarious by the unusually high-profile investigation of Zhang, which Reuters called “the highest-profile purge to date of senior military leadership.”
China’s Military Command
The Central Military Commission (CMC), the highest military authority of the Communist Party and led by Xi Jinping, is in charge of China’s armed forces. After Xi, Zhang Youxia is the highest ranked uniformed officer as vice-chairman of the CMC. In addition, he is a member of the Politburo, which puts him at the highest level of Chinese politics. Zhang, a veteran of China’s 1979 border conflict with Vietnam, has managed PLA operations, training, and the acquisition of weapons throughout his lengthy career. Zhang was kept on after the standard retirement Age, according to Chinese official media, indicating Xi’s confidence in him.
The investigation represents a remarkable incursion into the PLA’s upper echelons. China simply stated that the party’s Central Committee has chosen to look into Zhang and Lieutenant General Liu Zhenli, without providing any specifics about the accusations. Targeting someone as senior as Zhang is extremely uncommon, according to observers. Zhang’s dismissal “is the second of a sitting general on the Central Military Commission since the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution,” according to Reuters. In October 2025, He Weidong, who was China’s second-ranking general and vice-chair of the CMC at the time, was dismissed from both the military and the party due to allegations of graft. Ahead of a crucial party meeting, the removal of He and a number of other senior leaders was praised as Xi’s “cleaning house.”
The most recent action is being keenly monitored by analysts and diplomats. Foreign experts are watching developments closely, given Zhang’s closeness to Xi and the importance of the commission’s work in terms of command as well as the PLA’s ongoing military modernization and posture. Many PLA officers have already been overthrown by Xi’s anti-corruption effort in previous years. For instance, the party expanded its anti-graft campaign into the highest levels in late 2025, purging eight senior generals, including He Weidong. During the same time period, two prior defense ministers were also dismissed due to allegations of corruption.
Taiwan’s Response
Although its military has not made any explicit announcements, Taipei has responded by stepping up its security. Given Beijing’s persistent threats, Defense Minister Koo stressed that Taiwan cannot handle these changes in leadership in a vacuum. He told reporters, “We will not let down our guard, and our position is based on the fact that China has never given up the option of using force against Taiwan.” He went on to say that Taiwan’s military would continue to keep a close eye on Chinese military actions in real time.
Beijing’s “grey-zone” pressure, which consists of regular patrols by Chinese ships, planes, and missile drills near the island, is intended to weaken Taiwan, as Taiwan’s officials have frequently warned. Just a few months ago, China conducted its biggest-ever military drills in the vicinity of Taiwan. Taiwanese officials say they are examining any potential changes in Beijing’s plans in light of the recent purging. Taiwan “faces a serious security situation” and will continue to prepare for any eventuality, according to a representative for the Mainland Affairs Council, the cabinet department on China policy. Taiwan’s official briefings and media coverage reiterated many of these concerns.
In practical terms, Taiwan’s military has stepped up patrols and conducted recent exercises to discourage Chinese aggression. Analysts point out that Taiwan’s military continue to bolster their early-warning systems and reserve training in case of an emergency, and that the United States has been selling high-tech weapons to Taiwan on a regular basis under President Xi. Zhang’s inquiry doesn’t seem to have affected any of these plans right away, but Taiwan’s authorities make it clear that they view any instability in Beijing’s authority as a possible security signal.
Historical Context and Implications
According to observers, it is quite uncommon in contemporary Chinese history for a top general like Zhang to be investigated. According to a Reuters analysis, it is “the highest-profile purge” to date in Xi’s ten-year campaign to impose party discipline, which has became more intense since 2023. Experts highlight how uncommon this is by contrasting the current shake-up with past occurrences. For instance, China removed General He Weidong, who was then the vice-chairman of the CMC and a member of the Politburo, in October 2025 on the grounds of “serious violations.” The expulsion of an active CMC vice-chair was said to be the first since Mao’s Cultural Revolution. That action was interpreted by analysts as a strong indication that Xi was rearranging the military hierarchy prior to a crucial party conference.
These previous purges are a part of a larger pattern: since 2012, Xi has frequently changed the PLA’s leadership to reward supporters and penalize opponents. This centralization, according to many regional security analysts, offers Xi more direct authority over the armed forces but also raises questions. According to a defense analyst cited by TaiwanPlus, an outlet connected to the Taiwan government, Xi’s removal of internal safeguards may make it “easier for him to take risky actions especially in the Taiwan Strait.” According to other analysts, China’s weaponry buying and training cycles may be slowed by the unrest.
As of right now, the majority of indicators point to China’s military carrying on with its regular activities. Beijing has been “taking an increasingly muscular line” around Taiwan and other contested areas, according to Reuters. It recently conducted extensive maneuvers with the goal of encircling the island. According to Taiwanese officials, these activities have not stopped. In fact, according to one Taiwanese account, China has flown more than 100 planes toward Taiwan in recent weeks, establishing new records (Taipei refers to such flights as “harassment” of people).
Background on Cross-Strait Tensions
Since the Chinese Civil War ended in 1949, Taiwan and China have been governed independently. Beijing has pledged to eventually “reunify” the democratic island by force if necessary, claiming it as part of its sovereignty. Taiwan has insisted on preserving its self-government and opposes Beijing’s claims. China’s military forces have significantly increased their assertiveness during the last ten years. Nearly every day, they send navy boats close to Taiwan’s territorial seas and fly combat and surveillance aircraft into its air defense zone. As a result, Taiwan has strengthened security ties with the US and other democracies and increased its own military budget.
What’s Next
Nobody can predict the outcome of Zhang Youxia’s investigation or the potential emergence of new commanders. Taiwan’s top priority right now is to remain vigilant. Defense Minister Koo emphasized preparedness by saying, “We will not take any risks.” Beijing and Taipei will keep a watchful eye on each other. Foreigners have been cautioned by Chinese diplomats not to interfere in what Beijing refers to as its “internal affairs,” which includes the Taiwan dispute. For its part, Taiwan’s administration still views every signal from Beijing as potentially important.
The events are being ”watched closely,” according to one military analyst, because they have implications for “the PLA’s ongoing military modernization and posture. ” This news serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of cross-strait relations for the people of Taiwan, who already live under the shadow of periodic Chinese patrols. As the island has done for decades amid sporadic crises, Taiwan’s officials have stated that they will continue to bolster defenses and remain vigilant.