Xi Jinping’s ongoing campaign against disloyalty and corruption in the People’s Liberation Army continues to shape expectations for further removals in 2026. In late September, the Politburo expelled Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and Joint Staff Department chief Liu Zhenli from the Party and military over corruption, factionalism, and alleged disloyalty, following investigations that began earlier in the year. These moves follow the removal of multiple other senior generals since 2022 and have left only one uniformed vice chairman alongside Xi on the CMC. The October 26–29 Fifth Plenum is expected to ratify additional expulsions and advance broader party self-governance measures ahead of the 2027 Party Congress. Traders are monitoring whether the focus remains on military ranks or extends to other central committee or provincial officials.