- China opened a disciplinary investigation into Central Military Commission leaders Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, according to official statements and PLA Daily.
- The probe reaches the top of the PLA command structure and comes amid heightened military readiness reported by Western media.
China has launched an investigation into two of its most senior military officials, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, on suspicion of serious violations of discipline and law, the Chinese government announced on Saturday, in a move that reaches the highest levels of the People’s Liberation Army command structure.
According to the official announcement, Zhang Youxia, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, is under investigation alongside Liu Zhenli, a member of the CMC and chief of staff of the CMC Joint Staff Department. The probe was approved by the CPC Central Committee and the CMC, placing it among the most sensitive internal actions taken against China’s military leadership in recent years.
The PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese armed forces, said the decision reflects the leadership’s position that “no place is out of bounds, no ground is left unturned, and no tolerance is allowed” in the campaign against corruption within the military. The paper described the investigation as a demonstration of the Party’s determination to enforce discipline regardless of rank or position.
“Zhang and Liu, as senior officials of the Party and the military, have gravely betrayed the trust placed in them by the CPC Central Committee and the CMC,” the PLA Daily wrote, adding that their alleged actions undermined the system of ultimate responsibility centered on the CMC chairman.
The cases involve political and corruption problems that threaten the Party’s absolute leadership over the armed forces and weaken the political foundations of military governance. The alleged misconduct damaged the authority of the CMC leadership and harmed unity, political loyalty, and overall combat readiness within the PLA.
The PLA Daily further stated that the investigation would help the armed forces undergo “a thorough renewal” and reinforce efforts to strengthen discipline, political reliability, and operational effectiveness across the military. The paper linked the probe to broader goals set for the PLA as it prepares for the 15th Five-Year Plan, which begins in 2026, and for long-term modernization targets tied to the force’s centenary goals.
Western media have reported additional developments surrounding the case. The Wall Street Journal reported that Zhang Youxia, considered one of President Xi Jinping’s closest military associates, has been detained as part of the investigation, citing sources familiar with the matter. According to the same report, Chinese authorities have placed military units on a heightened state of readiness amid concerns about internal stability.
The Wall Street Journal also reported that Liu Zhenli is under investigation as part of the same action, noting that both men were viewed as part of the leadership circle surrounding Xi. Chinese authorities have not publicly confirmed details beyond the disciplinary investigation announcement.
The investigation comes amid a prolonged anti-corruption campaign within the PLA that has removed multiple senior officers in recent years, including figures involved in equipment procurement, missile forces, and logistics. Beijing has repeatedly framed these actions as necessary to preserve Party control and maintain military effectiveness.
The Central Military Commission oversees all branches of China’s armed forces, and investigations involving its vice chairman and Joint Staff chief are rare. Zhang Youxia has long been considered one of the most powerful uniformed officials in the Chinese system, with direct influence over strategic planning and military modernization programs.