China Investigates Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli
China’s Ministry of National Defense has announced an investigation into two of the People’s Liberation Army’s highest‑ranking officers, including Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Gen. Zhang Youxia and Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department Gen. Liu Zhenli. Both are accused of suspected serious violations of discipline and law, according to the official announcement.
Senior PLA Figures Targeted
The ministry statement said the decision to initiate formal probes was made by the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee following a review of both officers’ conduct. Zhang and Liu were described as “suspected of serious violations of discipline and law,” a phrase typically used in Chinese state media to denote potential corruption, abuse of power or other serious breaches of party rules and state law.
Zhang Youxia, 75, is one of China’s most senior uniformed officers and serves as vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the top military command body led by President Xi Jinping. He is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party.
Liu Zhenli, 61, has been chief of staff of the CMC Joint Staff Department, the branch responsible for joint operations, training and combat readiness.
Official Statement and Context
The ministry gave no further details about the nature of the alleged violations, and state media did not elaborate on specific charges. The announcement is part of China’s long‑running anti‑corruption campaign within the party and military.
Xi Jinping, as chairman of the CMC, has pushed disciplinary actions across the military for years, targeting senior commanders and defense officials. Analysts view the latest investigation as one of the most prominent in recent years, given Zhang’s status as one of the few active‑duty generals with wartime experience and high political standing.
Wider Impact on PLA Leadership
The probe into Zhang and Liu follows a string of disciplinary actions against senior military officials. In recent years, the anti‑corruption campaign has reached various branches of the military, including the elite Rocket Force and other high‑level commanders.
State media commentary, including from the official PLA Daily, framed the investigation as essential to strengthening discipline and party control within the armed forces, outlining that no one is exempt from accountability regardless of rank.
What Comes Next
Chinese official channels have said further updates will be released as the investigations proceed, but there has been no immediate information about detentions, formal charges or changes in positions. Both generals have been absent from recent high‑level party events, a detail noted by some observers as preceding the official announcement.
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