China has placed its highest-ranking general under investigation, in a move that marks one of the most significant military crackdowns in decades.
The defence ministry announced it is probing General Zhang Youxia for “grave violations of discipline and the law”, language commonly used in China to signal allegations of corruption. No further details were provided. Another senior officer, General Liu Zhenli, is also under investigation, the ministry said.
Zhang, 75, is a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the powerful Communist Party body chaired by President Xi Jinping that oversees the armed forces. He is also a member of the 24-person Politburo, placing him among China’s most influential political figures.
Widely regarded as President Xi’s closest military ally, Zhang had remained in office beyond the customary retirement age, a sign of Xi’s trust in him until now. His father was a founding general of the Communist Party, and Zhang joined the army in 1968, making him one of the few senior leaders with combat experience.
The announcement follows the expulsion of nine top generals in October, one of the largest public purges of China’s military leadership in recent history. It also comes after rumours surfaced in December when Zhang and Liu were absent from a major party event.
Since taking power, Xi has launched repeated anti-corruption campaigns across the party, state institutions and the military, calling corruption the Communist Party’s greatest threat. While supporters argue the drive strengthens governance and discipline, critics say it has also been used to sideline political rivals.
With the investigations into Zhang and Liu, the Central Military Commission has been reduced from seven members to just two, Xi himself and Zhang Shengmin, who oversees military discipline.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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