Troop Movements, Purge And Silence: Inside China’s Latest Power Jitters | Exclusive

Last Updated:January 28, 2026, 15:15 IST

Select units of the People’s Liberation Army have been placed on first-level combat readiness, typically associated with elevated threat perceptions or internal security concerns

Analysts also point to long-standing distrust between President Xi Jinping and sections of the PLA, as well as sensitivities surrounding succession planning. (AP)

Unusual military movements and heightened security measures have been reported in and around Beijing in recent days, according to Indian intelligence sources and open-source footage circulating on Chinese social media, raising questions about internal stability within China’s political and military leadership.

Intelligence inputs indicate that select units of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have been placed on first-level combat readiness, a status typically associated with elevated threat perceptions or internal security concerns. While Chinese authorities have not publicly commented on these reports, the developments coincide with a period of significant churn within the PLA’s top ranks.

Video footage dated January 26, widely shared on platforms such as WeChat and Weibo, shows PLA vehicles and military convoys moving through areas, including Wuqing district in Tianjin, roughly 40-50 km from Beijing. The authenticity of the videos has not been independently verified, but they have drawn attention amid growing speculation over the purpose of the troop movements.

Multiple reports also point to increased deployment of People’s Armed Police (PAP) special forces, including elite Tejing units, in sensitive zones around the capital. Some accounts claim partial subway shutdowns, sealed military compounds, and restrictions on the movement and communication of senior military officers, though no official confirmation has been issued.

Adding to the uncertainty, all five official PLA theatre command accounts on Weibo are currently inaccessible, a development that analysts describe as unusual, particularly during a period of heightened public scrutiny.

PLA Purge as the Apparent Trigger

The reported security measures come against the backdrop of what observers describe as one of the most extensive military purges in China in decades. On January 24, China’s defence ministry confirmed investigations into several senior PLA officers, including high-ranking figures such as Zhang Youxia, a move that has sent ripples through the military establishment.

According to top Indian intelligence assessments, the troop movements may reflect fears of factional infighting, potential dissent within the ranks, or efforts by the leadership to secure the capital amid internal turbulence. Analysts also point to long-standing distrust between President Xi Jinping and sections of the PLA, as well as sensitivities surrounding succession planning, as possible factors behind the tightening security posture.

There is, however, no official indication of a coup attempt or active conflict. Chinese state media and government channels have remained largely silent on the reported movements—a response pattern analysts say is typical when Beijing is dealing with politically sensitive internal matters.

Strategic Implications

While the leadership crisis has inevitably prompted speculation about its impact on China’s external posture, including issues such as Taiwan, defence analysts caution against drawing direct operational conclusions. “Internal consolidation does not automatically translate into external aggression," one senior intelligence official noted, adding that claims about troop movements should be treated with caution until independently verified.

For now, the developments underscore a rare moment of visible uncertainty within China’s tightly controlled political and military system, even as official Beijing continues to project calm and continuity.

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