Long March Anniversary Exposes a Growing Rift Between Xi and the PLA

Oct 29, 2026 - 11:03

Xi Jinping has vanished from a major PLA commentary. Not one mention of his name in over 10,000 Chinese characters.
Yet on the very same day, Xinhua mentioned Xi nine times and repeatedly emphasized his core leadership.
Why such a striking contrast during the Long March's 90th anniversary?
Meanwhile, Xi has made no publicly reported troop inspections outside Beijing in 2026, as sweeping military purges continue.
Are these merely differences in propaganda—or signs of a deepening rift between Xi Jinping and China's military?
We examine the conflicting political messages, Xi's missing military visits, and what they could reveal about his grip on the PLA.