Sat Jan 24 07:00:00 UTC 2026: # High-Ranking Chinese Military Officials Under Investigation in Broadening Anti-Corruption Sweep

The Story:
Chinese state media, CCTV, reported on the afternoon of September 24th that Zhang Youxia, a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and Liu Zhenli, a member of the CMC and Chief of the Joint Staff Department of the CMC, are under investigation for suspected serious violations of discipline and law. The decision to investigate Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli was made after research by the Party Central Committee.

Zhang Youxia, a current member of the Politburo and Vice Chairman of the CMC, has held various key positions in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) system for a long time, including Minister of the General Armaments Department and Minister of the Equipment Development Department of the CMC. He is considered a heavyweight figure in the military. The simultaneous investigation of two high-ranking active CMC officials indicates a renewed intensification of anti-corruption efforts within the military.

Key Points:

  • Zhang Youxia, Politburo member and Vice Chairman of the CMC, is under investigation.
  • Liu Zhenli, CMC member and Chief of the Joint Staff Department, is also under investigation.
  • Both are suspected of “serious violations of discipline and law.”
  • Zhang Youxia previously held key positions related to military equipment development.
  • The investigation is part of a broader anti-corruption campaign within the PLA.
  • Several other high-ranking military officials, including former CMC Vice Chairman He Weidong, former Defense Minister Li Shangfu, and former Defense Minister Wei Fenghe, have previously been purged.

Key Takeaways:

  • The anti-corruption campaign within the PLA is ongoing and reaching the highest levels.
  • The investigation of two current CMC members signifies a significant escalation of this campaign.
  • Focus on discipline and law violations suggests a concern over potential corruption or abuse of power within the military’s leadership.
  • These investigations may have implications for leadership stability and succession within the PLA.
  • The ongoing anti-corruption drive likely aims to consolidate power and ensure loyalty within the military under current leadership.

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