Xi Jinping Investigates Gen. Zhang, Shakes Central Military Commission
Defense Ministry said on Jan. 24, 2026 that Gen. Zhang Youxia and Gen. Liu Zhenli are under investigation, leaving one of six Central Military Commission members active.
Overview
On Jan. 24, 2026 the Defense Ministry announced Gen. Zhang Youxia and Gen. Liu Zhenli are under investigation for "suspected serious violations of discipline and law," leaving one of six CMC members active.
The PLA Daily published an editorial on Jan. 25, 2026 saying Zhang and Liu "seriously trampled on" the Chairman Responsibility System and framed the probe as part of Xi Jinping's anti-corruption drive.
Taiwanese Defense Minister Wellington Koo said in a Jan. 25, 2026 statement that officials in Taipei are closely watching the "abnormal" leadership changes, according to the ministry.
Records show China's anti-corruption campaign has disciplined more than 200,000 officials since 2012 and removed at least 17 PLA generals, including eight former CMC members.
Neil Thomas of the Asia Society Policy Institute said more arrests are likely, and Dennis Wilder of Georgetown University said the purge could lower near-term Taiwan assault risk but raise long-term miscalculation risk.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a politically driven purge that destabilizes the PLA and raises Taiwan risks, using loaded language (headline framing like “thrown into turmoil,” PLA paper terms such as “undermined”), prioritizing expert warnings about Xi’s consolidation, and foregrounding political loyalty over operational readiness to build a narrative of instability.
Sources (7)
FAQ
Gen. Zhang Youxia, senior vice chair of the Central Military Commission, and Gen. Liu Zhenli, member in charge of the Joint Staff Department, are under investigation for suspected serious violations of discipline and law.
The investigations leave only one of the six CMC members active, specifically Zhang Shengmin, who replaced He Weidong after his expulsion in October.
The Defense Ministry cited 'suspected serious violations of discipline and law,' framed by PLA Daily as part of Xi Jinping's anti-corruption drive, with accusations of trampling the Chairman Responsibility System.
Since 2012, the campaign has disciplined over 200,000 officials and removed at least 17 PLA generals, including eight former CMC members, aimed at reforming the military and ensuring loyalty to Xi.
Taiwanese officials are monitoring the 'abnormal' changes; experts suggest it may lower near-term invasion risk but raise long-term miscalculation risks.
History
4 sources