Purge of top Chinese general throws military into turmoil, raises questions about Taiwan

Zhang was previously considered “untouchable,” according to Alessandro Arduino, an expert in Chinese security at the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based think tank. “This is a reminder coming directly from President Xi Jinping that political loyalty stands well before combat readiness... Political disloyalty is a cardinal sin inside the party. And the message is clear: It’s a political accusation. I think the message is extremely clear: No one is safe.” Xi could have let Zhang, 75, retire to save face, he said, adding that that was “very important in China.” Instead, Xi had allowed “a huge political accusation” to be leveled against his longtime ally.