Archive · 21 Sep 2026
China Expels Two Top Generals Over Disloyalty, Corruption
China removed two very senior military leaders named Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli.
They were expelled from the Communist Party and the armed forces.
Officials accused them of breaking party rules and laws.
The accusations included corruption, disloyalty, failing to do their jobs, and abusing their positions.
Officials also said they formed groups that challenged party discipline.
Investigations into the generals began in January.
They were removed from the Central Military Commission in late August.
Zhang had been one of the most powerful uniformed officers in China.
The action is part of Xi Jinping’s long-running campaign against corruption and came before important diplomatic and party meetings.
China expelled Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from the Communist Party and military over alleged serious discipline and law violations.
Authorities accused the two generals of disloyalty, corruption, dereliction of duty, abuse of office, and forming cliques and factions.
Investigations were announced in January, and both men were removed from the Central Military Commission in late August.
Zhang was the CMC’s first-ranking vice-chairman and a Politburo member, while Liu led its Joint Staff Department.
The expulsions advance Xi Jinping’s military anti-corruption campaign and came before planned U.S. talks and an October party meeting.
- Who
- Chinese generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were expelled by Chinese authorities.
- What
- They were removed from the Communist Party and military over alleged serious violations of discipline and law.
- When
- The expulsions were announced on Monday, September 21; investigations began in January, and the generals were removed from the Central Military Commission in late August.
- Where
- The decision was made at a party leadership meeting in Beijing and reported by Xinhua News Agency.
- Why
- Official documents accused the generals of disloyalty, corruption, dereliction of duty, abuse of office, and forming cliques and factions.
Official Account
Analyst Interpretation
Reason for expulsions
Official Account
Chinese authorities said Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli committed serious political, disciplinary, economic, and legal violations, including corruption and dereliction of duty.
Analyst Interpretation
Analysts highlighted the unusually serious accusations of disloyalty and forming factions, saying they could signal a challenge to Xi Jinping’s authority, though the allegations were presented as official claims.
Meaning for Xi’s campaign
Official Account
State reporting framed the action as enforcement of party discipline and part of the anti-corruption campaign.
Analyst Interpretation
The expulsions were also viewed as a significant continuation of Xi’s purge of senior military figures, reducing the active membership of the formerly seven-member Central Military Commission to two, including Xi, according to Reuters.
- Expelled officials
- Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli
- Official accusations
- Disloyalty, corruption, dereliction of duty, abuse of office, and violations of party discipline
- Investigations
- Announced in January
- Removal from commission
- Both men were removed from the Central Military Commission in late August
- Zhang Youxia’s roles
- First-ranking vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and member of the Communist Party Politburo
- Liu Zhenli’s role
- Central Military Commission member and chief of its Joint Staff Department
- Military backgrounds
- Both were decorated veterans with combat experience from Chinese military campaigns against Vietnam in the late 1970s
