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ReutersChina’s Ministry of National Defense said it had opened an investigation into China’s most senior general for “serious violations of disciplines and laws.”
The Defense Ministry did not disclose further details of the charges against General Zhang Youxia, widely regarded as President Xi Jinping’s closest military ally. Yet in China, accusations of wrongdoing are often a euphemism for corruption.
Another senior military officer, General Liu Zhenli, is also under investigation, the Ministry of National Defense said in the announcement.
Their removal is as follows Expelled nine senior generals in October – One of the largest public crackdowns on the military in decades.
Zhang, 75, is vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the Communist Party organization led by President Xi Jinping that controls the armed forces.
Zhang also serves as a member of the 24-member Politburo, the party’s top decision-making body.
His father is one of the founders of the Communist Party of China.
Zhang joined the army in 1968 and was one of the few senior leaders with combat experience.
He has served beyond the retirement age set by the Chinese military, a sign of President Xi Jinping’s confidence in him so far.
Days earlier, there were rumors that Zhang and Liu may face investigations for not attending high-level party events in December.
ReutersSince President Xi Jinping came to power, he has launched a series of anti-corruption campaigns through various departments, with the latest campaign mainly focusing on the military.
He called corruption the Communist Party’s “biggest threat” and said the fight against corruption “remains serious and complex.”
Supporters say the policy promotes good governance, but others argue it has been used as a tool to purge political opponents.
With the investigations into Zhang and Liu, the Central Military Commission has now been reduced from its original seven members to just two: Xi Jinping as chairman and Zhang Shengmin, who is in charge of military discipline affairs.
