China's defense ministry has opened an investigation into General Zhang Youxia, the country's highest-ranking general, citing 'grave violations of discipline and the law.' This announcement did not offer specific details about the accusations against Zhang, who is regarded as President Xi Jinping's closest military ally. In China, such allegations typically imply corruption. Another military officer, General Liu Zhenli, is also reportedly under investigation.
The probe comes on the heels of a broader crackdown on military corruption that saw the expulsion of nine top generals just months prior - one of the largest such moves in decades. At 75, Zhang is a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), which controls the armed forces, and he also holds a seat on the Politburo. His background includes significant military experience, having started his career in 1968.
The recent developments are connected to a cloud of rumors concerning Zhang and Liu's absence from a high-profile party event last December. President Xi Jinping's administration has been conducting a relentless anti-corruption campaign across various government sectors, identifying corruption as a critical threat to the Communist Party. Critics assert that these drives may be leveraged for political purging under the guise of fighting corruption. With the ongoing investigations, the CMC's membership has dwindled to just two, raising concerns about the preservation of political power within the military.
The probe comes on the heels of a broader crackdown on military corruption that saw the expulsion of nine top generals just months prior - one of the largest such moves in decades. At 75, Zhang is a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), which controls the armed forces, and he also holds a seat on the Politburo. His background includes significant military experience, having started his career in 1968.
The recent developments are connected to a cloud of rumors concerning Zhang and Liu's absence from a high-profile party event last December. President Xi Jinping's administration has been conducting a relentless anti-corruption campaign across various government sectors, identifying corruption as a critical threat to the Communist Party. Critics assert that these drives may be leveraged for political purging under the guise of fighting corruption. With the ongoing investigations, the CMC's membership has dwindled to just two, raising concerns about the preservation of political power within the military.
