China’s top general under investigation

China’s defence ministry has announced that it has opened an investigation into the country’s highest-ranking general, underscoring what authorities present as a renewed commitment to discipline, accountability and institutional integrity within the armed forces.

In a brief statement, the ministry said General Zhang Youxia is being investigated for what it described as “grave violations of discipline and the law.” No further details were provided, but such language in China is commonly used to indicate alleged corruption or serious breaches of party rules. The announcement also confirmed that another senior officer, General Liu Zhenli, is under investigation as part of the same process.

General Zhang, 75, is one of the most senior figures in China’s military establishment. He serves as a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the powerful Communist Party body chaired by President Xi Jinping that exercises full control over the armed forces. Zhang is also a member of the 24-person Politburo, placing him at the heart of China’s political and military decision-making.

The move follows the expulsion of nine top generals in October, marking one of the most extensive and public military crackdowns in decades. Taken together, these actions highlight a sustained effort by the leadership to reinforce discipline at the highest levels of the People’s Liberation Army and to strengthen confidence in its command structure.

Zhang’s career has been closely intertwined with the modern history of the Chinese military. He joined the army in 1968 and is among a small group of senior leaders with direct combat experience. His family background is also notable: his father was one of the founding generals of the Chinese Communist Party, giving Zhang long-standing revolutionary credentials.

He had been retained in his post beyond the customary retirement age for senior officers, a decision widely interpreted as a sign of President Xi’s trust in his leadership and experience. That context has made the investigation particularly striking, reinforcing the message that no individual is beyond scrutiny as the party seeks to uphold its standards.

Speculation about potential investigations intensified earlier this month after rumours circulated that both Zhang and Liu were absent from a high-level party event in December, an absence that often fuels questions about officials’ standing. The defence ministry’s announcement has now provided official confirmation that formal proceedings are under way.