Commission Militaire Centrale: power shakeup, military control, China tension

The Commission Militaire Centrale (CMC), known internationally as China’s Central Military Commission, stands at the very heart of the country’s political and military power structure. It is the supreme command authority over the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the People’s Armed Police, and all strategic defense forces. In recent years, the CMC has undergone an extraordinary transformation marked by leadership purges, institutional restructuring, and intensified political control. These developments have not only reshaped China’s internal power balance but have also heightened global concern as Beijing’s military posture grows more assertive amid rising regional and global tensions.

This article explores the evolving role of the Commission Militaire Centrale, the recent power shake-up within its leadership, the consolidation of military control under President Xi Jinping, and the wider implications for China’s strategic direction and international security environment.

Understanding the Commission Militaire Centrale

The Commission Militaire Centrale is the highest military authority in the People’s Republic of China. Unlike many countries where the armed forces are controlled by civilian governments, China’s military is directly controlled by the Communist Party. The CMC serves as the bridge between political leadership and military command, ensuring that the armed forces remain loyal to the party above all else.

Structurally, the CMC is chaired by the Chinese president and includes vice chairmen and senior generals responsible for operational command, political work, logistics, equipment development, and discipline. While the body exists both as a party organ and a state institution, in practice it operates as a single command center, firmly embedded within the Communist Party’s authority.

Historically, the CMC functioned as a collective leadership body where senior officers shared influence. However, this balance has shifted dramatically in recent years, with authority becoming increasingly centralized.

Xi Jinping and the Centralization of Power

Since assuming leadership, Xi Jinping has pursued an unprecedented consolidation of power across China’s political, economic, and military systems. As Chairman of the Commission Militaire Centrale, he holds direct command over the PLA, making him the most powerful military leader in China since Mao Zedong.

Xi’s approach to military governance is guided by three core objectives:

1. Absolute loyalty of the armed forces to the Communist Party.

2. Modernization of the PLA into a world-class fighting force.

3. Elimination of corruption and factionalism within the military hierarchy.

To achieve these goals, Xi launched sweeping reforms that restructured command systems, dissolved old regional power bases, and strengthened the role of political commissars. These reforms reduced the autonomy of senior generals and placed decision-making firmly under the chairman’s authority.

The Power Shake-Up Inside the CMC

The most striking feature of recent developments has been a wave of high-level investigations, removals, and disciplinary actions targeting top military officials. Senior commanders from strategic branches, including missile forces and equipment procurement departments, have been dismissed or placed under investigation for “serious violations of discipline and law.”

This has resulted in:

• Removal of multiple CMC members and defense ministers.

• Reassignment of senior officers with strong political credentials.

• Vacancies in key command positions left unfilled or consolidated.

• A visible shrinking of the collective leadership model.

The scale and frequency of these actions are unprecedented in modern Chinese military history, signaling a deliberate effort to reshape the command structure.

Anti-Corruption or Political Reengineering?

Officially, the campaign is framed as a fight against corruption. The PLA has long struggled with bribery, influence-peddling, and procurement scandals. Cleaning up these practices is vital for military modernization and public confidence.

However, many analysts view the campaign as also serving deeper political purposes:

1. Elimination of Rival Power Centers

Senior officers who built independent networks or owed loyalty to previous leaders have been systematically removed. This weakens internal factions and ensures that no alternative centers of influence exist within the military.

2. Reinforcement of Personal Loyalty

Promotions increasingly favor officers with proven political reliability rather than purely operational experience. Loyalty to the chairman and adherence to party ideology now outweigh battlefield credentials.

3. Tightened Command Discipline

The reshuffling sends a powerful message throughout the ranks: obedience and political conformity are essential for career survival.

Transformation of Military Governance

The Commission Militaire Centrale has evolved from a collegial decision-making body into a highly centralized command structure. The chairman now dominates strategic planning, appointments, and operational doctrine.

Key changes include:

• Expanded role of political supervision departments.

• Strengthening of the discipline inspection system within the military.

• Reduced autonomy of theater commanders.

• Greater integration of party ideology into military education and training.

This transformation ensures unified command but also reduces internal debate and professional dissent, potentially affecting the quality of strategic decision-making.

Military Modernization and Readiness

Despite internal turmoil, China continues to invest heavily in military modernization. The PLA has made rapid advances in:

• Hypersonic missile technology

• Naval expansion and aircraft carrier development

• Space and cyber warfare capabilities

• Artificial intelligence and unmanned systems

• Nuclear deterrence modernization

The CMC plays a central role in coordinating these efforts, aligning technological development with national strategy. The leadership shake-up, however, raises questions about continuity, institutional memory, and operational cohesion during a period of rapid transformation.

Regional Security Implications

The internal restructuring of the Commission Militaire Centrale carries major implications for regional and global security.

Taiwan Strait

China’s military pressure on Taiwan has intensified, with frequent air and naval exercises. A more centralized command under strong political control could lead to faster decision-making in crisis situations, but also reduces internal checks that might otherwise restrain escalation.

South China Sea

The PLA Navy’s growing presence in disputed waters reflects Beijing’s determination to assert territorial claims. The CMC’s tightened control ensures these operations align closely with political objectives.

Indo-Pacific Balance

Neighboring countries and strategic partners of the United States are closely watching the changes, as shifts in China’s command structure may affect its military behavior, crisis management, and rules of engagement.

Global Power Competition

The evolution of the Commission Militaire Centrale occurs amid intensifying competition between China and the United States. Military modernization, alliance realignments, and technological rivalry all intersect with the CMC’s role in shaping defense policy.

A military leadership dominated by political loyalty may:

• Enhance strategic coherence with national policy goals.

• Increase the risk of miscalculation in high-tension scenarios.

• Complicate crisis communication due to rigid command hierarchies.

Risks and Challenges

While centralization strengthens political control, it also introduces vulnerabilities:

• Reduced Professional Autonomy: Operational expertise may be sidelined in favor of ideological conformity.

• Decision Bottlenecks: Over-concentration of authority can slow responses or lead to strategic overconfidence.

• Institutional Instability: Frequent purges disrupt continuity and trust within the officer corps.

Balancing political loyalty with military professionalism remains a critical challenge for China’s leadership.

Conclusion

The Commission Militaire Centrale stands at the center of China’s evolving power structure. The recent shake-up within its leadership marks a decisive shift toward tighter political control, deeper centralization, and a redefinition of military governance under Xi Jinping.

As China navigates an increasingly complex security environment, the transformation of the CMC will shape not only the future of the People’s Liberation Army but also the broader balance of power in Asia and beyond. The consolidation of authority may strengthen unity and discipline, yet it also heightens the stakes of strategic decision-making in an era of rising global tension.

In the years ahead, the world will continue to watch how the Commission Militaire Centrale exercises its authority, manages internal reform, and guides China’s military posture in an uncertain and contested international order.