BEIJING: China has announced that two high-ranking officials, including the senior vice chairman of its Central Military Commission (CMC), are being investigated for suspected serious misconduct, a term often used to indicate corruption.
This investigation is part of a broader effort by President Xi Jinping to combat corruption within the government and the Communist Party, a campaign that has been ongoing since he took office more than ten years ago.
The Chinese defense ministry released a statement saying, “After thorough evaluation, we have decided to investigate Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli.” Both are accused of serious breaches of discipline and the law.
Zhang Youxia, 75, is the highest-ranking general in China as the more senior vice chairman of the CMC. He is also a member of the powerful Politburo, which is the executive committee of the Communist Party. Zhang shares this vice chairman role with Zhang Shengmin, a general in charge of the rocket force, who is not related to him. Zhang Shengmin was appointed to his position in October after the previous holder was removed in another round of corruption investigations.
Liu Zhenli, 61, serves as the chief of staff of the CMC’s joint staff department, which deals with military planning. Speculation about the investigation intensified this week when both Zhang Youxia and Liu were noticeably absent from an official meeting led by Xi, where the other vice chairman, Zhang Shengmin, was present.
President Xi has identified corruption as a significant threat to the Communist Party, acknowledging that the fight against it is ongoing and complex. Supporters of the anti-corruption measures believe it leads to cleaner governance, while critics argue it can also be used by Xi to eliminate political opponents.
In recent months, several military officials have faced corruption investigations, resulting in the expulsion of two top generals: He Weidong, the former second-ranked vice chairman, and Miao Hua, the former head of the military’s political work department.
Additionally, in 2024, former Defense Minister Li Shangfu was removed from the Communist Party due to allegations of bribery, following in the footsteps of his predecessor Wei Fenghe, who was also expelled over corruption charges.
