Beijing (nytoday) — China’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed that an investigation has been launched against General Zhang Yuxia, the country’s most senior military official after President Xi Jinping, over what authorities described as “serious violations of discipline and law.”
While officials did not disclose specific allegations, such wording is typically used in China to indicate corruption-related offences. The ministry also announced that another senior officer, General Liu Xinli, is facing a similar investigation.
According to the BBC, General Zhang has long been regarded as President Xi Jinping’s closest and most trusted military ally. At 75, Zhang served as vice chairman of the Communist Party-led Central Military Commission (CMC), the highest authority overseeing China’s armed forces, which is chaired by President Xi himself. He was also a member of the powerful 24-member Politburo.
Zhang comes from a prominent revolutionary family, with his father among the founding generals of the Chinese Communist Party. He joined the People’s Liberation Army in 1968 and is one of the few top-ranking officers with actual combat experience. His continued service beyond the customary retirement age had been widely viewed as a reflection of President Xi’s strong confidence in him.
However, speculation surrounding Zhang’s status intensified after he and General Liu failed to attend a major Communist Party meeting in December, sparking rumours of internal disciplinary action.
This latest development follows the removal of nine senior generals in October, marking one of the most extensive public crackdowns on China’s military leadership in decades. Since assuming power, President Xi Jinping has pursued an aggressive anti-corruption campaign across state institutions, with the armed forces becoming a central focus in recent years.
President Xi has repeatedly described corruption as “the greatest threat” to the Communist Party, warning that the struggle against it remains “grave and complex.” Supporters argue the campaign strengthens discipline and governance, while critics claim it has also been used to sideline political rivals.
Following the investigations into Zhang and Liu, the Central Military Commission has reportedly been reduced from seven members to just two — President Xi Jinping as chairman and Zhang Shengmin, the official responsible for enforcing military discipline.