American Thought Leaders How Xi Jinping Broke All the CCP’s Rules | Heng He
Jan 31, 2026
Heng He, veteran China analyst and Epoch Times columnist, outlines why recent CCP military purges mark a historic turning point. He discusses how Xi allegedly broke party rules to remove generals. He explains the collapse of military command, risks from replacing professionals with political appointees, and how these shifts could alter China’s foreign posture and readiness.
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Purge Marks A Historic Turning Point
- The purge of top military leaders marks a historic turning point in CCP rule comparable to major past upheavals.
- Heng He says this event could rival the Great Leap aftermath, Cultural Revolution shifts, and Zhao Ziyang's purge.
Rules Were Broken To Purge Generals
- Xi's removals violated CCP procedures and hidden norms, which Heng He calls effectively illegal.
- He argues this bypass of formal meetings and committee votes resembles a coup against established party rules.
Military Chain Of Command Is Broken
- The chain of command in the PLA is now fractured with five of seven CMC members gone.
- Heng He warns this breakdown undermines military effectiveness and internal trust across the regime.