China's Military Purges Deepen, Threatening Combat Readiness: Think Tank

• Ongoing corruption purges in China's military are creating significant gaps in its command structure, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
• The crackdown has left the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) with "serious deficiencies" at senior levels, impacting readiness.
• Two highest-ranked generals, Zhang Youxia and He Weidong, are under investigation, effectively reducing the seven-member Central Military Commission (CMC) to two active members.
• The purges are likely to have a near-term impact on the PLA due to issues like promotions based on connections, faulty weapons, and hampered morale.
• Despite temporary effects, the report suggests modernization will continue, and China's defense spending is rising, reaching nearly 44% of total regional expenditure in 2025.