China's Military Purges Create Command Gaps Amid Ongoing Modernization Efforts

Since 2022, China has conducted extensive purges removing nearly 100 senior military officers, including top commanders linked to President Xi Jinping. Studies by the International Institute for Strategic Studies and the Center for Strategic and International Studies highlight resulting gaps in the People's Liberation Army's command structure, potentially affecting near-term readiness, especially regarding Taiwan. Despite these challenges, reports indicate that military modernization and increased deployments in the Indo-Pacific are expected to continue, with the purge seen as a temporary disruption amid ongoing reforms.