Chinese state media has officially confirmed a seismic shakeup within the nation’s military leadership, announcing that General Zhang Youxia—President Xi Jinping’s closest military ally and the second-ranking officer in the armed forces—has been placed under investigation for “serious violations of discipline and law.”
The announcement, broadcast by CCTV on Saturday, cited a decision by the Communist Party’s Central Committee to target Zhang along with General Liu Zhenli, the Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department. The move effectively decapitates the operational leadership of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and signals that President Xi’s anti-corruption dragnet has reached the absolute pinnacle of power.
The “Untouchable” Falls
The purging of the 75-year-old Zhang is a shock to observers. As one of the two Vice Chairmen of the Central Military Commission (CMC), Zhang was widely considered untouchable due to his deep family ties to Xi and his status as one of the few serving generals with actual combat experience (from the Sino-Vietnamese war). His removal suggests that loyalty and history offer no protection in the current climate.
The “Second Wave”
State media confirmed this is the second major purge of the CMC in recent months. It follows the dramatic events of October 18, when the other CMC Vice Chairman, General He Weidong, and eight other high-ranking generals were expelled from the Party and the PLA. With Zhang’s downfall, the CMC has now lost both of its top uniformed officers in less than four months—a “complete cleaning of the house” that leaves the military leadership in a state of chaotic transition.
The Charge
While “serious violations of discipline and law” is standard Party euphemism for corruption, the targeting of the Joint Staff Department chief (Liu) alongside the political vice-chair (Zhang) implies a systemic issue involving procurement, readiness, or loyalty. The crackdown, which began in the Rocket Force in 2023, has now consumed the command structure of the entire military apparatus.
