Politics Watch: Decoding the Convening of Enlarged Military Meetings
◎ Xi is likely seeking to strengthen his control over the military in a crucial period.
MILITARY
![Zhang-Yang Zhang-Yang](https://sinoinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Zhang-Yang.jpg)
Five Points on Former Top Political Commissar Zhang Yang’s Suicide
◎ Fang Fenghui and Zhang Yang were both considered favorite candidates for the CMC vice chair spots at the 19th Party Congress until their sudden vanishment at the end of August.
![N.Korea-Missile-e1511908818967 N.Korea-Missile-e1511908818967](https://sinoinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/N.Korea-Missile-e1511908818967.jpg)
After Snubbing Xi, North Korea Fires New Missile
◎ We wrote earlier that Kim may be rejecting Xi’s authority and is still in alliance with the Jiang Zemin faction.
![Strategic-Planning-CMC-e1511891042578 Strategic-Planning-CMC-e1511891042578](https://sinoinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Strategic-Planning-CMC-e1511891042578.jpg)
CMC Major General and Secretary of Ex-General Armament Department Chief Reportedly Probed
◎ Ren Shaolong, the deputy director of the Central Military Commission’s (CMC) Office for Strategic Planning, was reportedly taken away secretly and investigated.
![US-vs.-China US-vs.-China](https://sinoinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/US-vs.-China.jpg)
How the PLA Can Pose a Threat to the US
◎ A modernized PLA utilizing asymmetrical hybrid warfare tactics will pose a credible threat to America.
![Monitor-Army-e1510863438311 Monitor-Army-e1510863438311](https://sinoinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Monitor-Army-e1510863438311.jpg)
China’s CMC Cracks the Whip on Military Training Standards
◎ The CMC is looking to intimidate potential opposition elements in the military.
![XiJinping_17-e1510861016614 XiJinping_17-e1510861016614](https://sinoinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/XiJinping_17-e1510861016614.jpg)
Chinese Officials Promoting Xi’s Authority a Prelude to Anti-corruption Storm
◎ We anticipate that many officials, including those considered to be untouchable, are going to be purged over the course of Xi’s second term in office.
![XiJinping_16 XiJinping_16](https://sinoinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/XiJinping_16.jpg)
Xi Tightens Military Discipline After 19th Congress
◎ Xi Jinping’s strict regulation of senior military cadres represents a rejection of Jiang era practices.
![China-Military-exercises-e1510608889257 China-Military-exercises-e1510608889257](https://sinoinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/China-Military-exercises-e1510608889257.jpg)
Why US and China Simultaneously Held Military Exercises
◎ The U.S. drills are likely aimed at sending a message to North Korea.
![Mimic-the-US-military-e1510604241849 Mimic-the-US-military-e1510604241849](https://sinoinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Mimic-the-US-military-e1510604241849.jpg)
China’s Military to Roll Out Civilian Service Modeled After the US
◎ The current PLA civilian service is modeled after the United States military’s civilian service.