Recent high-level purges in the People’s Liberation Army, including the removal of Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and other senior officers for alleged discipline violations and factionalism, have reinforced President Xi Jinping’s personal authority over the armed forces. These moves, concentrated among Navy and Rocket Force leaders with ties to prior factions, signal efforts to eliminate internal debate over policy directions such as Taiwan contingencies. Official announcements frame the actions as anti-corruption measures, while analysts note the resulting leadership vacuum and emphasis on loyalty. The 21st National Congress scheduled for 2027 looms as a key leadership transition point, though the current consolidation reduces near-term risks of coordinated challenges from military or security actors. Trader consensus assigns low implied probability to a coup attempt by year-end or into 2027.