China Coup Rumors: Inside the Alleged Power Shake-Up and What It Means for the World

Beijing’s political grapevine is swirling with claims of an attempted “China coup,” a phrase that has rocketed across social media after President Xi Jinping abruptly placed two of his most trusted generals—Central Military Commission (CMC) vice-chair Zhang Youxia and Joint Staff chief Liu Zhenli—under investigation for “serious violations of discipline and law.” The surprise purge, confirmed by the Defence Ministry on 26 January, shattered the assumption that Xi’s inner circle was untouchable and triggered a wave of speculation that the leadership faced an internal power grab. Rumours of a foiled military putsch gathered momentum when diaspora forums and X (formerly Twitter) users claimed troops had surrounded the Jingxi Hotel, the fortified Beijing compound where top commanders convene. Several unverified posts alleged that conspirators planned to detain Xi on the night of 18 January—claims amplified by fringe outlets but denied by state media. While no hard evidence supports talk of a shoot-out or mass arrests, analysts say the leadership’s unusually heavy-handed messaging hints at real anxiety inside the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Why Xi moved now 1. Consolidating control: Xi has purged more than 100 senior officers since 2012, but Zhang’s downfall marks the first time a lifelong ally has been sacrificed. Experts read it as a warning that loyalty trumps camaraderie and that Xi wants a completely “clean slate” before next year’s Communist Party Congress. 2. Taiwan timeline: By decapitating the PLA’s command, Xi signals he is not ready for a near-term strike on Taiwan, choosing to “clean house” before any large-scale operation. 3. Corruption cover: Beijing frames the probe as a graft case, yet anticorruption charges have long served as pretexts to neutralise political threats. What we know about the alleged coup plot • Missing generals: Both Zhang and Liu vanished from public view after 15 January. Their seats were empty at two high-profile naval events, igniting talk of detention. • Tightened security: Residents near Beijing’s Western Hills reported roadblocks and an unusual helicopter presence, fuelling coup rumours, though videos cannot be independently verified. • Silence on state TV: CCTV’s evening news has avoided naming Zhang, breaking with the norm of lionising top brass, an omission insiders read as confirmation that the investigation is politically explosive. How markets and neighbours reacted Shanghai’s benchmark CSI 300 opened 1.4 percent lower on Monday as traders priced in political risk, while the offshore yuan dipped to 7.32 per dollar before clawing back losses. In Taipei, defence stocks rallied on expectations that PLA turmoil reduces invasion risk in the short run. Global implications • Military readiness: With only two of seven CMC members still in office, decision-making bottlenecks could slow PLA modernisation and joint-training programmes, giving the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command breathing room. • Power perception: Foreign governments will scrutinise whether Xi’s grip is weakening or whether the purge ultimately strengthens his one-man rule by removing potential rivals. • Information warfare: The speed at which “China coup” rumours trended highlights Beijing’s vulnerability to narrative attacks, especially when transparency is low. Fact-check: coup or crackdown? Most specialists call talk of an outright coup premature. “There is zero sign of organised troop movements beyond routine rotations,” says Lyle Morris of the Asia Society Policy Institute. Nonetheless, the scale of the purge is unprecedented, and Beijing’s opaque politics mean that factional conflict cannot be ruled out. What to watch next • Replacements: Personnel chosen to fill CMC vacancies will reveal which faction now dominates. Look for promotions of younger officers from the Rocket Force and Strategic Support Force. • Public appearance: If Xi stages a high-profile inspection of PLA units in coming weeks, it will be aimed at quelling rumours and projecting stability. • Taiwan drills: Any delay or downsizing of spring exercises along the Taiwan Strait would reinforce the view that internal cohesion, not external conquest, tops Xi’s agenda for 2026. Bottom line The “China coup” narrative taps into real elite turbulence but remains, for now, a story of pre-emptive purges rather than tanks in Tiananmen. Whether Xi’s latest crackdown cements dominance or exposes deep fractures will shape Asia-Pacific security—and search interest—for months to come.