US EditionWhat Xi's Purge Of A Top General Means For China And Its Neighbors
Xi Jinping’s investigation of General Zhang Youxia is part of a broad purge reducing China’s Central Military Commission to three members, raising risks for Taiwan and regional stability.
- Over the weekend, the Defence Ministry of the People’s Republic of China said General Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, was placed under investigation for alleged "serious disciplinary and legal offenses".
- A multi‑year pattern of removals shows around 20 generals were purged since 2023, linked to Xi Jinping, Chinese leader's consolidation ahead of a high‑profile summit in April and the 2027 leadership reshuffle.
- The Wall Street Journal reported Zhang faced accusations of leaking nuclear information to the United States and accepting bribes, though analysts remain skeptical and RFE/RL could not independently corroborate.
- The immediate effect is the seven‑member Central Military Commission is down to one active uniformed officer remaining and two standing members including Xi Jinping, concentrating military authority.
- Regional partners have expressed concern as Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo said Taipei will monitor abnormal changes, while experts warn purges degrade PLA readiness and create leadership gaps.
16 Articles
16 Articles
China Removes Its Highest Ranked General. What Happened?
China’s military top brass is in chaos. Seriously. When the country’s most senior general and another high-ranking officer are suddenly purged, you can’t help but ask: what’s really going on?Over the weekend, General Zhang Youxia, 75, and General Liu Zhenli were placed under investigation, accused of “serious violations of discipline and law”. A phrase that usually means corruption.But the fallout has been far bigger than a typical graft scandal…
China’s Decadence and the Military Purge
China’s Decadence and the Military Purge acabral-sanche… Tue, 01/27/2026 - 09:04 SVG Testimony Jan 26, 2026 The Wall Street Journal China’s Decadence and the Military Purge Walter Russell Mead Ravenel B. Curry III Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesmanship Walter Russell Mead Testimony Caption General Zhang Youxia on April 22, 2024, in Qingdao, China. (Getty Images) Toggle Table of Contents Contents Contents Share to Twitter Tw…
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