The ongoing purge within the Chinese Communist Party’s military continues, with even the “second-generation reds” (the offspring of prominent Communist Party officials) being swept up. Lieutenant General You Haitao, who was recently removed from his position as a National People’s Congress delegate and former deputy commander of the army, is the latest second-generation red to face scrutiny. Does this mean that the second-generation reds within the military have become targets of Xi Jinping’s purge? What are the behind-the-scenes dynamics of second-generation reds against Xi? Various observers hold differing opinions on this matter.
On December 25, official Chinese state media reported that 8 Communist Party delegates were dismissed, including former Deputy Commander of the army You Haitao and Southern Theater Navy Commander Li Pengcheng. Lieutenant General You Haitao is a second-generation red, as the son of General You Taizhong, who served as the commander of the Chengdu Military Region and Guangzhou Military Region.
In addition to You Haitao, four generals were found absent from the promotion ceremony of the new Army Political Commissar Chen Hui on December 23, including Army Commander Li Qiaoming, Navy Political Commissar Yuan Huazhi, Armed Police Commander Wang Chunning, and former Army Political Commissar Qin Shutong. Among them, Wang Chunning is also a second-generation red, being the son of former Deputy Political Commissar of the Nanjing Military Region, Wang Yongming.
Last year, rumors surfaced about the investigation of Navy Deputy Commander Feng Danyu, but he is not a National People’s Congress delegate or member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and his situation has not been officially announced. Feng Danyu’s grandfather was Feng Yuxiang, a prominent figure who defected to the Communist Party from the Nationalist government.
Former Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu, who has fallen from grace, is also a second-generation red. According to reports from Caixin Net, among the 14 generals who have been removed from their positions as delegates to the 14th National People’s Congress, Li Shangfu has been implicated in wrongdoing, while the other 13 are merely suspected of “serious violations of discipline and law.”
Retired General Liu Yazhou, who was rumored to have been arrested in 2021 and later confirmed to have been sentenced to life in prison earlier this year, is also a second-generation red.
Su Ziyun, director of the Strategy and Resources Department at the Taiwan Institute for National Defense and Security, told Epoch Times that these military leaders are themselves second-generation reds, and their arrests will become symbolic events. In any case, this reflects the current high instability within the Communist regime, “the barrels, money bags, and knife handles are all problematic, of course, the most critical is the barrels.”
He believes that from the recent emphasis on “collective leadership” in the Chinese Communist military newspapers—equivalent to a backlash within the military system against Xi Jinping’s dictatorial leadership to so many generals being ousted again, indicates that internal strife may be further escalating.
Shen Mingshi, a researcher and director of the National Security Research Institute at the Taiwan Institute for National Defense and Security, stated in an interview with Epoch Times that Xi Jinping’s rise to power controlling the highest authority within the Chinese Communist Party was due to the support of the “princeling party” or the “second-generation reds.” However, during the times of Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, these second-generation reds amassed wealth in silence, but Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign seized the privileges of these second-generation reds, leading to a drastic change in their relationship. “Xi’s anti-corruption campaign is not specifically targeting the second-generation reds, but mainly those who hold certain privileges, which, in turn, are being toppled due to this wave of anti-corruption crackdown.”
Chinese Communist Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia is also a second-generation red, with his father Zhang Zongxun being a close associate of Xi Jinping’s father, Xi Zhongxun. Zhang Youxia remained in his position at the 20th National Congress of the CPC, which was originally believed to assist Xi in wielding his military power. However, since last year, a wave of cleansing within the military targeting the equipment system has been suggested to have unsettled Zhang Youxia by Xi Jinping. Rumors have been circulating this year of Zhang Youxia garnering support from party elders while Xi Jinping’s military support wanes.
Yao Cheng, a former Chinese Navy Colonel who frequently leaked information about the fall of senior military officials in the Chinese Communist Party, which later proved to be true, also holds this view.
Yao Cheng told Epoch Times on December 27 that he believes it is not Xi Jinping who is arresting people now, but rather Vice Chairman of the Military Commission Zhang Youxia taking action.
“Now the party elders and second-generation reds are supporting Zhang Youxia, who wants to overthrow Xi Jinping. Xi Jinping is not targeting the second-generation reds, but rather (some of) the second-generation reds have chosen the wrong side, and Zhang Youxia intends to arrest them. Xi Jinping currently cannot arrest people, he no longer has authority within the military.”
Miao Hua, a close associate of Xi Jinping and a member of the Military Commission, as well as the director of the Political Work Department of the Military Commission, was officially confirmed to be under “suspension pending investigation” on November 28.
Miao Hua had long served in the 31st Group Army (now 73rd Group Army) stationed in Fujian, with a close relationship to Xi Jinping during the same period in Fujian. After Xi came to power at the 18th National Congress, Miao Hua’s career accelerated, transitioning from the army to the navy, and was promoted to Admiral rank in the Navy in July 2015. In 2017, Miao Hua assumed the role of director of the Central Military Commission’s Political Work Department, was promoted to a Military Commission member, and reelected in 2022.
Yao Cheng believes that the current operations are Zhang Youxia’s endeavor to eliminate Xi Jinping’s confidants, mainly targeting Miao Hua and his domain in the Eastern Theater Command.
Li Pengcheng, the Southern Theater Navy Commander removed from his position as a National People’s Congress delegate, previously served as the Navigation Assurance Department Head of the Navy Command, Deputy Chief of Staff of the North Sea Fleet, Chief of Staff of the East Sea Fleet, Navy Deputy Chief of Staff, and was promoted to Rear Admiral in 2024 upon becoming the Southern Theater Navy Commander.
Yao Cheng stated that Li Pengcheng is loyal to Miao Hua. “He used to be part of my department, a staff member of the Navigation Assurance Department. Later, after becoming the department head, he, like Dong Jun, was rapidly promoted after Miao Hua came to the navy.”
Retired General Liu Yuan, a second-generation red, recently submitted a memorial titled “Superfluous Words” to the central authorities. In the letter, he mourns the “death of the party,” pointing out that the military’s morale instability is a serious political crisis. Many officers now carry loaded firearms with them day and night, ready to confront investigators who may come to arrest them.
Su Ziyun stated that within the military, the second-generation reds, like Liu Yuan and Zhang Youxia, hold more power. Although these rumors are difficult to verify at the moment, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. The absence of Wang Chunning and others from the promotion ceremony for general ranks is just the tip of the iceberg.
Yao Cheng mentioned that Liu Yuan holds significant influence within the military, as his father was Liu Shaoqi. After Xi Jinping came to power, Liu Yuan supported Xi’s anti-corruption campaign, only to discover that Xi was falsely claiming anti-corruption measures while actually purging dissidents. Liu Yuan became disillusioned with Xi and ultimately chose to retire early.
“Therefore, Liu Yuan’s stance against Xi Jinping is likely credible. Liu Yuan and Zhang Youxia are the individuals Xi Jinping is most eager to capture, but since he can’t, there are influential forces supporting them now. In the internal conflicts within the CCP, Xi Jinping is essentially losing. Therefore, people should not assume Xi Jinping is the one arresting individuals; it is Zhang Youxia catching Xi Jinping’s people.”
Shen Mingshi stated that Liu Yuan successfully brought down figures like Gu Junshan, Guo Boxiong, and Xu Caihou, which he believed would earn him a promotion to Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission. However, unexpectedly, Xi Jinping forced him into early retirement and appointment to the National People’s Congress, leaving him resentful, especially seeing Xi Jinping’s chaotic governance, which would make him disdain Xi Jinping and even hope to have a chance to bring him down or compel his resignation, which is possible.
Shen Mingshi suggested that while the content of the “Superfluous Words” may not have been written by Liu Yuan himself, the references to the demise of the party and the nation are quite apt.
As the second-generation reds within the Chinese Communist military approach retirement age, there have been few reports of third-generation reds in the military in recent years. Yet, Xi has repeatedly asserted his commitment to preserving the red legacy, and as the second-generation reds meet their fall, he emphasizes political loyalty within the military.
Yao Cheng pointed out that as the second-generation reds retire, the influence of the third-generation reds within the armed forces diminishes significantly, as these red family legacies within the CCP lose their advantages after three generations.
Su Ziyun noted that the relationship between the third-generation reds and the Chinese Communist Party has become more distant, as these individuals have not yet reached the rank of general in the military, likely occupying the ranks of colonel or lieutenant colonel, and have been exposed to a wider range of new experiences growing up. The crackdown on second-generation reds by Xi Jinping may lead to a disassociation between the red descendants and the CCP.
Shen Mingshi believed that the descendants of the Communist Party’s founding elders, with the exception of individuals like Zhang Youxia, have not held significant positions. Currently, those capable of opposing Xi Jinping are likely retired elders, such as Wen Jiabao and Li Ruihuan.
He suggested that Xi Jinping’s pledge to ensure a red future does not necessarily mean he must rely on red descendants; he only needs to ensure personal loyalty within the military through political indoctrination and rigorous surveillance, reinforcing stringent personal security to avoid any assassinations or attempts at a coup.
Yao Cheng predicted that the following year would hinge on whether Xi might step down during the Fourth Plenary Session. If Xi steps down, at most, he will retain the ceremonial position of the President, and military reforms will likely revert. His associates will face purges. If he doesn’t step down, clashes between him, Zhang Youxia, and Liu Yuan may escalate, and Xi will undoubtedly not let Zhang Youxia go. Once firmly in control of military power, Xi may initiate warfare—possibly targeting Taiwan. However, with numerous uncertainties both domestically and internationally, further observation is necessary.