Donald Trump has been caught off guard by a significant military shake-up in China that indicates the country is gearing up for potential conflict, according to an expert’s warning.
Chinese President Xi Jinping recently dismissed high-ranking generals He Weidong and Miao Hua in a notable restructuring of the Chinese military aimed at preparing the nation’s massive 1.4 billion population for potential combat. Allegations of severe corruption led to the removal of these generals, along with nine other top military officials accused of financial misconduct by the Chinese Communist Party.
In the aftermath of these changes, new revealing images have surfaced depicting extensive construction activities at a secretive military base in the northwest of China, hinting at the establishment of a new underground facility possibly for nuclear testing.
While the US President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are conducting their own military reorganization termed as a ‘war on woke generals,’ China’s strategic military restructuring seems to be more focused and planned, as noted by Professor Anthony Glees, a security and defense expert from the University of Buckingham. Glees cautioned that the US might be at risk of falling behind as China strengthens its military capabilities.
Xi’s actions in purging top military officials, similar to Hegseth’s moves in the US, aim to ensure complete allegiance of China’s elite ‘Rocket Force’ to the Chinese Communist Party without independent thoughts. In contrast to the US system where democratic checks exist, Xi’s authoritarian control allows for an effective military purge and strategic enhancements, including the expansion of China’s nuclear arsenal to match that of the US and Russia.
Despite possessing fewer nuclear warheads than the US and Russia currently, China has been rapidly increasing its stockpile, adding approximately 100 warheads annually since 2023. Recently, China unveiled its latest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, equipped with advanced catapult launch technology, placing it second only to the US in terms of carrier numbers. This technological advancement signifies China’s growing naval capabilities and its potential impact on future regional dynamics, particularly concerning Taiwan.
Under Xi’s leadership, China has significantly expanded its navy, including adopting advanced technologies like the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), previously exclusive to the US Navy’s USS Gerald R Ford. This naval expansion has put pressure on the US and its allies to enhance their own naval capabilities to match China’s growing maritime influence.
