A top Chinese diplomat, Liu Jianchao, viewed as a potential future foreign minister, has been detained for questioning, with no official explanation. Liu, who heads the Communist Party’s International Department, has visited over 20 nations since 2022. His detention comes amid President Xi Jinping’s sweeping anti-corruption purge targeting military and political elites, leaving key leadership positions vacant. The shake-up tests Xi’s control, military modernization goals, and Taiwan invasion timeline, while raising questions over loyalty, readiness, and political stability ahead of Xi’s possible fourth term. 00:00 – INTRODUCTION02:17 – XI MOVES TO TIGHTEN GRIP AMID MILITARY SCANDALSn18oc_world n18oc_crux