'Sirf Trivedi bachega': Inside 'Mafia don' Xi's 'Sacred Games' with PLA generals

Much like a Mafia don, Xi has shown that he considers even his associates to be disposable. More important, the staggering political casualties reflect that he is losing patience with his military rather than his control over it.

“This move is unprecedented in the history of the Chinese military and represents the total annihilation of the high command.”

Xi has reached the point where he no longer needs Zhang, who has protected him and pushed through historic reforms of the PLA, but is now perceived to be a rival and threat to Xi’s absolute grasp on power.