Xi balances between professionalism and political control of the PLA

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s relationship with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is marked by frequent purges, reccurring organisational reforms and deep-seated distrust, despite continued military modernisation efforts. Xi's strategy of assertive rhetoric and limited military use aims to cultivate China's (and his own) powerful image and placate the PLA, without engaging in full-scale warfare, but ongoing political interferences, purges, and reforms raise questions about the PLA's actual strength and ability to control escalation dynamics.