politics
January 26, 2026
Fate of China’s top general more likely to do with power struggle than corruption
Experts suggest Xi Jinping is asserting his authority by sidelining an officer who has significantly betrayed his trust
TL;DR
- Zhang Youxia, China's highest-ranking general and vice-chair of the CMC, is under investigation for corruption.
- Liu Zhenli, another CMC member, is also under investigation for similar charges.
- This event is considered the most significant military purge in China since the post-Mao era.
- The investigations suggest potential political issues alongside corruption, possibly linked to Zhang's promotion of former defense minister Li Shangfu.
- Some analysts suggest a power struggle, with Xi Jinping aiming to eliminate potential rivals or those who have become too powerful.
- The purges may impact China's military modernization and readiness, particularly regarding a potential assault on Taiwan.
- It is widely expected that the investigations will lead to more arrests, as corruption is seen as a systemic issue within the Chinese Communist Party.
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