China's defense ministry has announced an investigation into senior military officials Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli for suspected serious disciplinary and legal violations. The two hold key positions as vice chairman and chief of staff of the Central Military Commission, highlighting Xi Jinping's emphasis on party purity.
On January 25, 2026, China's Ministry of National Defence announced an investigation into senior People's Liberation Army generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli. Zhang serves as a member of the Communist Party of China Central Committee's Political Bureau and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission; Liu is a member of the Central Military Commission and chief of staff of the CMC Joint Staff Department. The probe, decided by the CPC Central Committee, targets suspected serious disciplinary and legal violations.
The move comes ahead of the Communist Party congress and the PLA centenary, viewed as a bold signal in the anti-corruption drive. Observers note it underscores Xi Jinping's resolve to prioritize discipline and political purity above all. In a 2020 speech, Xi warned of persistent issues harming the party's purity, including 'ideological impurity, political impurity, organisational impurity and conduct impurity'.
The ministry's announcement emphasizes efforts to uphold military loyalty and efficiency. Though timed sensitively, it reinforces Xi's ongoing anti-corruption campaign.