Hong Kong, January 26 (ANI): Chairman Xi Jinping has sent shockwaves through China’s political and military establishment by ordering the arrest of the country’s highest-ranking military officer, General Zhang Youxia, it was announced on January 24. At the same time, General Liu Zhenli, Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department, was also detained.
Speculation is rife over the reasons behind Xi’s dramatic move, particularly as Zhang was long considered a loyal ally. Both generals were conspicuously absent from a January 20 study session for provincial- and ministerial-level cadres, suggesting they had been detained earlier.
The arrests signal the climax of Xi’s campaign to purge the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and enforce absolute loyalty. Zhang was the most senior uniformed officer on the Central Military Commission (CMC), chaired by Xi, while Liu was also a commission member.
With their removal, the CMC is effectively reduced to Xi and General Zhang Shengmin, who was promoted to vice chairman last October. A career political officer and discipline inspector, Zhang Shengmin’s presence leaves the commission looking hollow and raises questions about its functionality.
In 2022, the CMC had six members after Xi reshaped it to his liking. Today, only one member remains under Xi, prompting speculation over whether the body will continue to operate or be sidelined entirely. Despite handpicking its members, none appear to have met Xi’s expectations.
Before this latest crackdown, He Weidong, Li Shangfu and Miao Hua were also removed from the CMC. One analyst observed that “fear has replaced initiative inside the PLA, turning it into a hollow force that looks strong on parade but cannot fight a real war.”
A PLA Daily article accused Zhang and Liu of betraying the trust of the Communist Party and undermining the CMC chairmanship responsibility system. It alleged they fostered corruption and political disloyalty that threatened party control over the military and damaged the PLA’s unity, image and combat effectiveness.
The article said they would be “investigated and punished according to party discipline and law” to eliminate “ideological poison,” consolidate political rectification, and inject new momentum into building a strong military.
Xi has repeatedly framed corruption as a major threat. In a January 12 speech, he described the fight against corruption as “severe and complex,” calling for an “unwavering high-pressure stance.” In 2025 alone, 983,000 people were disciplined—about 0.7% of China’s population—according to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
What makes this case extraordinary is the simultaneous removal of two of the PLA’s most senior figures, raising concerns about morale and readiness as Xi eyes a potential military move against Taiwan.
Zhang, like Xi, is a “princeling,” descended from early communist leaders. An investigative task force has reportedly been sent to Shenyang, where Zhang commanded forces from 2007 to 2012, to probe alleged earlier misconduct.
Joaquin Camarena, a former US Marine Corps intelligence analyst, argued the investigation is driven more by political and military considerations than corruption. He suggested Zhang’s power base was viewed as an obstacle to Xi’s control and modernization agenda.
Camarena said Xi tolerated Zhang past retirement age for his experience, but ultimately removed both Zhang and Liu for failing to accelerate combat readiness and modernization fast enough to meet Xi’s goals of building a world-class military by 2049.
The Wall Street Journal cited sources claiming Zhang accepted bribes, including for promoting Li Shangfu to defense minister, and formed political cliques. More controversially, it alleged Zhang leaked sensitive nuclear weapons data to the United States—claims reportedly linked to testimony from detained nuclear executive Gu Jun.
Details of the alleged breach remain scarce. Similar accusations surfaced in 2023 involving former foreign minister Qin Gang, though these reports were never substantiated.
MIT’s M. Taylor Fravel said while nuclear-leak allegations are serious, the more likely cause of Zhang’s downfall was political defiance and undermining Xi’s authority over the CMC.
Neil Thomas of the Asia Society Policy Institute questioned the plausibility of such leaks, noting Zhang’s heavily monitored communications and limited access. He suggested the nuclear accusations may serve as justification for an otherwise extraordinary purge.
Thomas assessed that Zhang was most likely caught up in procurement corruption scandals that previously brought down Li Shangfu, combined with political disloyalty and failure to deliver Xi’s vision of a cleaner, more capable fighting force.
More extreme rumors, circulated by Canada-based activist Sheng Xue, allege Zhang and Liu planned to move against Xi on January 18, though such claims remain unverified.
The episode underscores how opaque internal CCP and PLA politics remain. What is clear is that Xi has removed more than 50 senior PLA and defense industry officials in the past 2.5 years, signaling growing confidence in his authority and the depth of corruption within the military.
Camarena warned that removing Zhang and Liu will significantly affect PLA combat readiness and modernization, especially within the Joint Staff Department, which oversees operational planning and joint training.
Strategic analyst Brahma Chellaney compared Xi’s actions to Stalin’s pre-war purges, warning that decimating military leadership increases the risk of strategic miscalculation.
The rapid turnover within the CMC also complicates engagement with Western militaries, as senior counterparts disappear abruptly, disrupting long-term relationships.
CNA analyst Decker Eveleth outlined three bleak possibilities: pervasive corruption, Xi’s doubts about loyalty, or leadership driven by unrealistic timelines. “None of them are good for China’s ability to fight,” he said.
Given the many unknowns, Eveleth concluded a coherent account may not emerge until long after the principal figures are gone. (ANI)
908 words, 5 minutes read time.
About The Author
