Archive · 26 Jan 2026
China investigates top generals for corruption
China is investigating two of its top military leaders, General Zhang Youxia and General Liu Zhenli, for possible corruption and undermining President Xi Jinping's authority.
These generals are very important in China's military leadership.
The investigation comes after a military newspaper criticized them for causing problems and hurting the military's unity.
This is part of a bigger effort by President Xi Jinping to fight corruption in the military.
Over the past few years, several other high-ranking military officials have also been investigated and removed from their positions.
The purges have raised concerns about the health of the military and its combat readiness.
Some analysts suggest that the investigations may also be aimed at removing potential threats to Xi's authority within the military.
Additionally, there are allegations that General Zhang Youxia leaked information about China's nuclear weapons to the U.S.
China has launched an investigation into General Zhang Youxia and General Liu Zhenli for suspected serious discipline and law violations, likely corruption.
General Zhang Youxia is the senior Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, and General Liu Zhenli heads the Joint Staff Department.
The investigation follows criticism in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Daily, which accused the generals of weakening Xi Jinping’s authority and causing political and corruption problems.
The Central Military Commission now has only two members: President Xi Jinping and General Zhang Shengmin, who oversees military graft investigations.
This is the latest in a series of investigations by President Xi into China's military since he assumed office in 2012, aiming to combat corruption.
- Who
- General Zhang Youxia and General Liu Zhenli
- What
- Investigation for suspected serious discipline and law violations (corruption) and undermining Xi's authority
- When
- Recently announced (exact date not specified)
- Where
- China
- Why
- Allegations of corruption, weakening Xi’s authority, and causing political problems within the military, including leaking nuclear secrets to the U.S.
- Officials Investigated
- General Zhang Youxia, General Liu Zhenli
- Positions
- Senior Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, Head of the Joint Staff Department
- Allegations
- Suspected serious discipline and law violations (corruption), undermining Xi's authority, leaking nuclear secrets to the U.S.
- Current CMC Members
- President Xi Jinping, General Zhang Shengmin
- Previous Investigations
- Gen He Weidong, Admiral Miao Hua, former Defence Minister Li Shangfu, Wei Fenghe
- PLA Daily Criticism
- Accused generals of weakening Xi’s authority and causing political and corruption problems
- Xi's Anti-Corruption Campaign
- Targeting both high-ranking and lower-level officials since 2012
- Pentagon Report
- Flagged removal of senior officers causing uncertainty in PLA
Sources
China launches probe into military's highest-ranked uniformed officer
China: Top military general Zhang Youxia placed under investigation
As China purges top military general Zhang Youxia, little clarity and numerous theories on offer
Taiwan monitoring ‘abnormal’ China military leadership changes after top general put under investigation
China's Top General Under Probe Over Nuclear Data Leak Claims To US: Report
China probes top military general over alleged leaks and corruption: What we know
Analysis-‘Nobody is safe’: China’s Xi targets his close ally in purge
China’s top general accused of giving nuclear secrets to US
Month before Xi Jinping’s purge of China’s top general, Pentagon flagged removal of officers, said it triggered ‘uncertainty’
China’s military crackdown ‘abnormal’, watching Xi’s moves closely: Taiwan
How China's Military Purge Could Affect Army, Taiwan's Future
China investigating top general over serious violations, says defence ministry
‘Nobody is safe now’: China watchers say Xi’s military purge enters ‘asteroid belt’ of power
How China’s military leadership purge could affect the PLA and Taiwan outlook
