Archive · 22 Sep 2026
China Expels Two Top Generals in Xi’s Military Purge
China removed two very senior military leaders from the Communist Party and the armed forces.
The leaders were Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli.
Chinese authorities said they broke party rules and were involved in corruption and other serious misconduct.
They were also accused of forming groups that were not loyal to the party.
Zhang had been one of the most powerful military officials in China.
Both men had combat experience and served on the Central Military Commission.
Their investigations began in January, and they were removed from that commission in August.
The action is part of Xi Jinping’s long-running effort to punish corruption and demand loyalty from the military.
The Chinese military is controlled by the Communist Party through the Central Military Commission.
China expelled former generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from the Communist Party and military.
Authorities accused them of political disloyalty, corruption, abuse of office and serious disciplinary violations.
Zhang was a former vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and the PLA’s highest-ranking uniformed officer.
Investigations were announced in January, and both men were removed from the state Central Military Commission in August.
Their expulsions form part of Xi Jinping’s broader campaign to combat corruption and enforce party control over the military.
- Who
- Former Central Military Commission leaders Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were expelled, following investigations by Chinese authorities.
- What
- They were removed from the Communist Party and military over alleged political disloyalty, corruption, abuse of office and serious disciplinary violations.
- When
- The investigations were announced in January; both men were removed from the state Central Military Commission in August and expelled on Monday.
- Where
- The action took place within China’s Communist Party and military institutions.
- Why
- Authorities said the generals violated political discipline and party rules, while the expulsions also formed part of Xi Jinping’s broader military anti-corruption campaign.
Official Explanation
Broader Interpretation
Reason for the expulsions
Official Explanation
Chinese authorities say the two generals seriously violated political discipline, party rules and principles, and were linked to corruption and abuse of office.
Broader Interpretation
The article notes that their removal also raises questions about Xi Jinping’s effort to tighten political control and enforce absolute loyalty within the armed forces.
Meaning of Zhang’s removal
Official Explanation
Authorities present the action as punishment for exceptionally serious alleged misconduct involving large sums of money.
Broader Interpretation
Because Zhang was a senior military figure and had been regarded as close to Xi, his removal carries significance beyond the corruption allegations.
- Expelled officials
- Former Central Military Commission Vice-Chairman Zhang Youxia and former Joint Staff Department chief Liu Zhenli.
- Reported ages
- Zhang Youxia was 75 and Liu Zhenli was 61.
- Allegations
- Political disloyalty, corruption, dereliction of duty, abuse of office and failure to supervise subordinates and family members.
- Investigations
- Investigations into both men were announced in January.
- Commission removal
- Both were removed from China’s state Central Military Commission in late August.
- Zhang’s status
- Zhang was the commission’s first-ranking vice-chairman and the highest-ranking uniformed officer in the Chinese military.
- Campaign context
- The expulsions are part of Xi Jinping’s broader anti-corruption and military-discipline campaign.