China Investigates Highest-Ranking Military Leader Regarding Alleged Corruption Probe
China launches a probe into its top general, indicating a stepped-up effort to combat military corruption.
In one of the biggest military crackdowns in decades, China has placed its top general under investigation.
General Zhang Youxia is being investigated by the defense ministry for “grave violations of discipline and the law,” a term frequently used in China to indicate accusations of corruption. No other information was given. According to the government, General Liu Zhenli, another senior officer, is also being investigated.
The 75-year-old Zhang serves as the vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the influential Communist Party organization that is in charge of the military and is led by President Xi Jinping. He is one of the most powerful political personalities in China and a member of the Politburo, which consists of 24 members.
Zhang, who is widely considered to be President Xi’s closest military supporter, continued to serve after the traditional retirement age, demonstrating Xi’s continued faith in him. Zhang entered the army in 1968, making him one of the few senior commanders with combat experience. His father was a founding general of the Communist Party.
The announcement comes after one of the biggest public purges of China’s military leadership in recent history, which saw the removal of nine senior generals in October. Additionally, it follows rumors that Zhang and Liu skipped a significant party event in December.
Since assuming office, Xi has repeatedly fought corruption in the military, state institutions, and the party, claiming that corruption is the biggest challenge facing the Communist Party. Critics claim the drive has also been used to marginalize political adversaries, despite supporters’ claims that it improves discipline and government.
Xi and Zhang Shengmin, who is in charge of military discipline, are now the only two members of the Central Military Commission, which had seven members before to the investigations into Zhang and Liu.
