Beijing, January 25, 2026 (Agencies) – China’s top military general is under investigation for suspected serious violations of discipline and law, the Defence Ministry announced on Saturday, marking the latest development in an ongoing purge within the People’s Liberation Army.
Zhang Youxia, the senior of the two vice chairmen of the powerful Central Military Commission, has become the latest high-ranking figure to face scrutiny as part of the long-running campaign targeting senior military officials. The commission is the highest military decision-making body in China and is chaired by President Xi Jinping.
Analysts say the series of purges is aimed at both reforming the military and ensuring loyalty to President Xi, who has overseen a sweeping anti-corruption drive since coming to power in 2012. The campaign has led to disciplinary action against more than 200,000 officials across the party, government and military.
In a related development, the Defence Ministry said another commission member, Liu Zhenli, has also been placed under investigation by the ruling Communist Party. Liu serves as chief of staff of the commission’s Joint Staff Department. No details were provided regarding the alleged wrongdoing in either case.
Zhang Youxia, 75, joined the People’s Liberation Army in 1968 and rose through the ranks of the ground forces to become one of the most influential figures in the Chinese military.
The latest investigations follow the expulsion of the commission’s other vice chairman, He Weidong, in October last year. He was subsequently replaced by commission member Zhang Shengmin, further underscoring the scale and continuity of the military shake-up.