The spiked podcast What is Xi Jinping up to? | Cindy Yu
Feb 9, 2026
Cindy Yu, columnist and contributing editor at The Times and The Sunday Times, analyzes Xi Jinping’s recent military purge and what it signals about his hold on power. She discusses the PLA’s experience limits, risks to Taiwan and possible timelines. Cindy also covers how US strategy and trade tensions are reshaping global hedging and outlines a measured UK approach to China.
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Central Military Commission Left Bare
- Xi has purged almost the entire Central Military Commission, leaving only himself and one investigator.
- This unprecedented thinning of senior military leadership raises questions about who now advises Xi on security and military matters.
Zhang Youxia's Close Ties And Removal
- Zhang Youxia was a longtime ally of Xi who knew him since childhood and had battlefield experience in Vietnam.
- His sudden removal shocked observers because he was seen as a trusted, war-experienced figure.
Corruption Seen As A Real Readiness Risk
- Official charges against purged generals focus on corruption tied to procurement failures.
- Failures like malfunctioning missile silos suggest corruption may have materially weakened PLA readiness.