In a significant development within China’s military leadership, the Ministry of National Defense has announced formal investigations against two of the nation’s highest-ranking generals for serious legal and disciplinary violations. The probe targets General Zhang Youxia, Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission and long considered President Xi Jinping’s closest military ally, alongside General Liu Zhenli, another senior military officer.
The defense ministry’s statement provided no specific details regarding the allegations, though the phrase ‘violations of discipline and law’ typically serves as official terminology for corruption cases within China’s political context. The investigation marks a dramatic fall from grace for General Zhang, a 75-year-old veteran with combat experience who had remained in service beyond standard retirement age—previously interpreted as a sign of particular trust from President Xi.
This development continues President Xi’s extensive anti-corruption campaign that has swept through multiple government sectors since he assumed power, with recent focus intensifying on military leadership. Just three months earlier, nine senior generals were removed in one of the largest military purges in decades.
The timing of the announcement follows weeks of speculation after both generals were conspicuously absent from a major Party event in December. With these investigations, the Central Military Commission’s membership has now been reduced from seven to just two officials: President Xi himself and Zhang Shengmin, who oversees military disciplinary matters.
Analysts note that while anti-corruption efforts receive public support for promoting governance integrity, critics argue these campaigns frequently serve as tools for political consolidation. President Xi has consistently described corruption as the ‘biggest threat’ to Communist Party rule and maintains that the anti-graft battle remains ‘grave and complex.’
The investigation of General Zhang carries particular symbolism given his status as the son of one of China’s revolutionary founding generals and his position on the 24-member Politburo, the Party’s elite decision-making body.