~ Linn Maung ~
China’s military leadership is facing upheaval following the death of Xu Qiliang, a key figure in defence modernization and Xi Jinping’s trusted military strategist. His sudden passing has sparked speculation about political purges, corruption, and instability within China’s armed forces. This article explores the deeper implications of his death on military cohesion.
State-run Xinhua news agency reported that Xu Qiliang, former vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and a key figure in China’s military leadership, died in Beijing on June 2nd at the age of 75. However, a journalist revealed on Platform X that Xu had actually passed away in the early hours of May 28th. The Chinese Communist Party allegedly withheld the announcement for days, only releasing the news after completing internal political manoeuvres. The official date of death may have been altered, suggesting deeper political implications.
Xu, a close ally of Xi Jinping, played a crucial role in military reforms, particularly restructuring the Rocket Force and Air Force. His influence spanned a decade, making him one of Xi’s most trusted advisors. Reports indicate he was deeply affected by an extensive purge within China’s military ranks, which saw the removal of numerous high-ranking officers. The pressure of political crackdowns and corruption investigations reportedly placed significant strain on his health. His death raises concern about instability within China’s military and the ongoing leadership restructuring under Xi.
According to the journalist, Xu Qiliang played a crucial role in advancing China’s military reforms alongside Xi Jinping. He was instrumental in reorganizing key branches such as the Rocket Force and Air Force, strengthening China’s strategic capabilities. From 2012 to 2022, Xu held the highest-ranking military position closest to Xi, serving as a key architect of defence modernization. However, in 2023, Xu repeatedly warned that Xi would initiate a large-scale purge targeting 70 general-level officers, a prediction that soon materialized. The sweeping removal affected multiple military branches, including the Rocket Force, Joint Staff, Eastern Theatre Command, Military Office System, Logistics, and Strategic Support Units.
Xu watched helplessly as his closest allies, long-time comrades, and subordinates—many of whom he had personally promoted—were taken away one by one. The political climate intensified, leaving him in constant anxiety. A military associate shared with the journalist that Xu would ask every day, “Who was taken away today?” reflecting his growing fear of imminent consequences.
Xu’s family disclosed that he was under immense mental strain, dependent on medication to sleep, and terrified that the ongoing purge could extend to his family and former subordinates. Military sources were blunt in their assessment, stating that his death was not due to heart disease but rather fear itself.
The journalist emphasized that Xu’s passing is not an isolated case but part of a broader transformation in military leadership. The purge has reached the highest levels, ensuring that even a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission is not immune. The military has entered a state of paralysis—no statements, no positions, no responsibility, and no one willing to speak out. This is not a sign of disorder but a calculated suppression of dissent, designed to instill fear and consolidate control.
On the evening of June 2nd, reports emerged online suggesting that Xu Qiliang had suffered a cardiogenic sudden death. Further claims indicated that he had died of acute myocardial infarction after being taken to 301 Hospital, where doctors were unable to save him. Despite retiring in 2022, Xu was said to have remained involved in the internal power dynamics of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Public records show that Xu was promoted to Air Force General in June 2007 and later became Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission in 2012, with support from senior leadership at the time. In January 2024, reports surfaced that he had been taken from his home for investigation. Subsequent updates pointed to a raid at his residence, alongside allegations that he had received bribes amounting to over 160 million Yuan (approximately $22.2 million) from Air Force General Ding Liang, linking him to a corruption case.
On January 29th, 2024, Xu made a public appearance at a New Year’s performance hosted by the Central Military Commission for retired leaders, suggesting that he had, at least for the moment, managed to avoid further political consequences.
Vision Times cited U.S.-based Chinese commentator Tang Jingyuan, who noted that Xu Qiliang is the second vice chairman-level military figure to die under suspicious circumstances, the first being He Dong. Tang emphasized that Xu’s death occurred at a politically sensitive time amid the military purge. As a long-retired general with little remaining political power, it was unlikely that a direct political purge ended Xu’s life. Instead, Tang concluded that the most plausible explanation was that Xu was deeply entangled in the corruption networks inside Xi’s inner circle.
As anti-Xi forces now use anti-corruption as a pretext to cleanse Xi’s loyalists, Xu became collateral damage. General Ding Liang alone is said to have bribed Xu with 160 million Yuan, adding immense mental strain to his known heart condition. Tang believes that Xu’s death was most likely linked to corruption, rather than being purely a political purge like Wei Fenghe’s demise.
Xu Qiliang’s death reflects deeper turmoil within the Chinese Communist Party under Xi Jinping’s leadership. The extensive purges, aimed at consolidating power, have induced fear among high-ranking officials, destabilizing internal cohesion. Xu, once a trusted military strategist, became a casualty of political manoeuvres, with reports suggesting immense psychological strain before his passing. His death underscores a broader pattern of leadership reshuffling, where political loyalty is prioritized over stability, leaving China’s military apparatus in a state of uncertainty and suppressed dissent.
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