Xi Jinping has dismissed nearly a fifth of the generals he appointed since coming to power in 2012. The ongoing purges in the Chinese military demonstrate the president's iron grip on the armed forces, but also raise questions about the strength of loyalty to Xi, and whether it exists at all. Last October, the latest purge was officially announced with the dismissal of nine high-ranking generals, including He Weidong, the number two in the command structure and a close associate of Xi. He Weidong was also a member of the Politburo, the highest decision-making body of the Communist Party and the country. But despite the high rank of those ousted, mostly three-star generals, this is only the latest chapter in a long process. Previously, even two defense ministers—Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu—had already been dismissed and detained.