Xi Jinping ditches yet more PLA commanders in ongoing purge

Last week, a powerful task group comprising the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and three escorting warships arrived in Hong Kong to fly the flag as the territory celebrated its handover anniversary.

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While this naval flotilla certainly reflected the massive investment that Chairman Xi Jinping has poured into the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the Chinese leader continues to winnow commanders and senior officers from among the PLA's ranks.

The PLA, as the armed wing of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), has proved particularly stubborn in yielding to Xi's uncompromising will and abandoning the chance for personal gain.