One of the most important tasks of any China scholar these days is discerning why Xi is so preoccupied with concentrating so much power in his own hands, and, in particular, ensuring obeisance from the military. Most commonly cited among his possible motives is something that Xi himself routinely invokes: the need to ensure Chinese preparedness for and eventual success in any fight over the future of Taiwan.

From the earliest days of his rule, Chinese President Xi Jinping has made a regular practice of purging senior members of his country’s military hierarchy. He has invoked corruption in opaque legal proceedings and presided over their public disgrace, banishment from the Chinese Communist Party, and imprisonment. In almost every instance, Xi and the propaganda apparatus that is devoted to him have pounded away at strengthening political control over China’s armed forces.

From the earliest days of his rule, Chinese President Xi Jinping has made a regular practice of purging senior members of his country’s military hierarchy. He has invoked corruption in opaque legal proceedings and presided over their public disgrace, banishment from the Chinese Communist Party, and imprisonment. In almost every instance, Xi and the propaganda apparatus that is devoted to him have pounded away at strengthening political control over China’s armed forces.

One of the most important tas