Two Military Generals Dismissed, Accused of Disloyalty and Corruption
China has reportedly dismissed two prominent military generals of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, from both the Communist Party and the military on Monday. The official announcement cited alleged disloyalty, corruption, and other serious disciplinary violations.
According to Reuters, Zhang was the second-highest official under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, commanding the highest command body of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and regarded as the President’s closest military ally. Liu himself was a member of the CMC and Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department.
Investigations into Zhang and Liu were actually announced in January. However, both were only removed from the state’s Central Military Commission at the end of August.
Since coming to power in 2012, Xi has conducted one of the most intense anti-corruption and disciplinary crackdowns in China’s modern history. Millions of people within the bureaucracy have been investigated at various levels, with numerous senior party, government, and military officials arrested and purged.
The military has increasingly become a primary target of this broader campaign in recent years. A series of investigations and expulsions has left only two active figures in the CMC, which previously consisted of seven members, including Xi himself, who serves as chairman.
Disloyalty
According to the same report, the Chinese leadership accused the two former military leaders of being disloyal to the party and ignoring party principles. They were also accused of failing to enforce strict party discipline or supervise staff and family members.
“Zhang and Liu severely violated political discipline and political rules, formed groups and factions, and were disloyal and dishonest to the party,” wrote the state news agency Xinhua, quoting official documents.
“This pair crossed the red lines and fundamental boundaries… Their political and economic errors are intertwined, and corrupt self-enrichment occurred alongside dereliction of duty and abuse of power,” the report added.
“The amount involved is enormous; the nature (of their actions) is extremely serious and the impact is terrible.”
Observers note that while corruption allegations against senior PLA officers are not unusual, allegations of disloyalty are rare.
“What is unprecedented is the allegation of disloyalty involving the formation of groups and factions,” said Dennis Wilder, a former CIA China analyst and senior researcher at Georgetown University. “These allegations of disloyalty are reminiscent of the Mao era… if proven, it could indicate that Xi views the situation as a serious challenge to his authority and political position,” he remarked.
“This sends a sharp message to leaders and the military regarding challenges to Xi.”
State media reported that the official “expulsion” of Zhang and Liu was approved during a Politburo meeting led by Xi Jinping. Their alleged criminal cases will subsequently be referred to military prosecutors for investigation and trial, in accordance with the law.
The announcement was made several days before Xi is scheduled to travel to the US for talks with President Donald Trump. It also occurs weeks before an important party meeting in October regarding party governance and internal discipline.