Xi Jinping is purging China's military — and it could disrupt its race to catch up to the US

• Xi Jinping is purging military officers from their positions.
• The Chinese president removed nine senior officials from their posts last Friday.
• However, Xi's anti-corruption campaign could disrupt China's race to catch up with the US military.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent purge of the country's military generals has weakened its armed forces and highlighted corruption in its ranks, analysts told Reuters.

During his tenure, Xi has intensified anti-corruption efforts across China's government and the People's Liberation Army (PLA), Reuters reported.