Archive · 25 Jan 2026
China Purges Top Military Officials in Shocking Move
China's government has removed a very important military leader, Zhang Youxia, and is investigating another high-ranking officer, Liu Zhenli, for breaking rules and laws.
Zhang is a top leader in the military and a close friend of President Xi Jinping.
This is part of a bigger effort to stop corruption in the military that started in 2012.
Recently, nine other top generals were removed from the military for corruption, including the country's number two general, He Weidong.
Some people think this is to make the government cleaner, while others think it's a way for Xi Jinping to remove people he doesn't like.
Xi has been very strict about corruption since he became leader over a decade ago.
China's Communist Party has removed Zhang Youxia, a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, and is investigating Liu Zhenli, the chief of staff of the CMC Joint Staff Department, for grave violations of discipline and the law.
Zhang Youxia's removal is significant due to his close personal ties to President Xi Jinping, dating back generations, and his retention beyond the customary retirement age.
This purge is part of Xi Jinping's relentless campaign to eliminate corruption and disloyalty within the party, with the inclusion of his closest military ally surprising observers.
In October 2025, the party expelled nine top generals, including three three-star generals who served on the Central Committee, for serious violations of party discipline and suspected duty-related crimes.
In November 2025, the Communist Party removed 20 senior officials from key roles in a separate purge targeting members with families living abroad to counter vulnerability to sanctions, foreign pressure, or intelligence coercion.
- Who
- Senior military officials Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli
- What
- Removal and investigation for grave violations of discipline and the law
- When
- Announced on Saturday, January 24, 2026
- Where
- China
- Why
- Part of a broader corruption crackdown in the military and to eliminate disloyalty within the party
Supporters of Xi's Anti-Corruption Campaign
Critics of Xi's Anti-Corruption Campaign
Purpose of the Campaign
Supporters of Xi's Anti-Corruption Campaign
Promotes clean governance and eliminates corruption and disloyalty within the party.
Critics of Xi's Anti-Corruption Campaign
Serves as a tool for Xi to purge political rivals and consolidate power.
- Officials Removed/Investigated
- Zhang Youxia, Liu Zhenli
- Position of Zhang Youxia
- Vice-Chairman of CMC, Politburo Member
- Position of Liu Zhenli
- Chief of Staff of CMC Joint Staff Department
- Initiated By
- China's Communist Party
- Reason
- Grave violations of discipline and the law
- Corruption Crackdown Started
- 2012
- Recent Military Purge (October 2025)
- Nine top generals expelled, including three three-star generals
- November 2025 Purge
- 20 senior officials removed from key roles
Sources
China investigating senior military officials Zhang Youxia, Liu Zhenli, says defence ministry
Explained: Why China's Top Military Official Is Under Investigation
China’s top military official under probe for disciplinary violations in major purge in PLA
China investigating senior military officials Zhang Youxia, Liu Zhenli, says defence ministry
Crackdown on 'corruption'? Shockwaves in China's military establishment as top officials placed under investigation
China investigating top military officials Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, says defence ministry
China investigating top general over serious violations, says defence ministry
China removes top General & confidante in Xi Jinping’s most shocking military purge yet
Xi orders investigation into highest-ranking Chinese general over corruption allegations - Telegraph India
China military purge deepens as Xi orders probe into top general and senior commanders - Telegraph India