US EditionChina probes deputy military chief Zhang Youxia, general Liu Zhenli over 'serious violations of discipline'
The investigations into generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli reflect President Xi Jinping's ongoing anti-corruption purge targeting two-thirds of top military officers since 2012.
- On Jan 24, China’s Communist Party opened investigations into Zhang Youxia, Political Bureau member and CMC vice-chair, and Liu Zhenli, chief of staff of the CMC Joint Staff Department, for suspected serious violations, the Defense Ministry said.
- Amid Xi Jinping’s 2012 anti‑corruption drive, the campaign has punished more than 200,000 officials and targeted the military, including a 2023 probe of the Rocket Force.
- Zhang Youxia, 75, is widely regarded as one of President Xi Jinping’s closest military allies and joined the People’s Liberation Army in 1968 as a ground-forces general.
- Slower procurement is already evident as the broader purge is hitting revenues at major Chinese military firms and placing a CMC vice‑chair under investigation could reshape top military leadership after recent expulsions.
- Analysts say the purges aim to reform the military and secure loyalty to Xi, citing expulsions of eight top generals in October 2025 and two former defence ministers in 2024.
231 Articles
231 Articles
China defense ministry puts top general under investigation in anti-corruption push
The Chinese defense ministry announced Saturday that top general Zhang Youxia is being investigated for “suspected serious discipline and law violations,” allegations commonly understood to mean corruption. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) made the decision to put him under investigation. Zhang, 75, is China’s highest ranking general who holds senior positions in the CPC and military. He is vice-chair of the Central M…
Xi’s Top-Rank Purge Strengthens Chinese Leader, Weakens PLA
The Saturday sacking of China’s second-most-powerful military leader, General Zhang Youxia, and another top Chinese general, Liu Zhenli, has awakened speculation that the two had sought to pull off a coup against Chinese President Xi Jinping and comes at the expense of a weakened and unsettled People’s Liberation Army (PLA), possibly narrowing the prospect of an invasion of the recalcitrant island of Taiwan.It is the latest in a series of purges…
Trouble in China: Elite purge as Xi targets his own top general, longtime confidant
Another significant military purge appears underway in China, as Saturday morning the West woke up to news that China's most senior military officer, who is second only to Xi Jinping, has been put under investigation over alleged "grave violations of discipline and the law." Gen. Zhang Youxia is a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, the Communist Party body that controls China's armed forces, and this comes as somewhat of a major s…
China's military leadership in the CMC is seriously weakened after General Zhang Youxia, who ranked just below President Xi Jinping, was accused of serious crimes.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
