China has initiated a high-profile investigation into Zhang Youxia, the nation's most senior serving general after President Xi Jinping, in what analysts are describing as one of the most consequential military purges witnessed in decades. The official framing of this move characterizes it as a probe into "serious violations of discipline and the law," signaling a dramatic escalation in Xi's long-running anti-corruption campaign within the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
Targeting the Highest Ranks
Zhang Youxia, aged 75, serves as the vice-chairman of the Communist Party's powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), the supreme body commanding China's military forces. He is joined in this investigation by Liu Zhenli, 61, who holds the position of chief of staff for the CMC's Joint Staff Department. A statement released by the defense ministry confirmed that, "Following a review... it has been decided to initiate an investigation into Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli," explicitly noting that both individuals are "suspected of serious violations of discipline and the law." No specific details regarding the alleged wrongdoing have been disclosed publicly at this stage.
The investigation into a Politburo member and the PLA's number one uniformed officer represents a significant intensification of President Xi's anti-corruption drive, highlighting the profound political and military stakes involved. This development underscores the leadership's unwavering commitment to maintaining absolute control over the armed forces.
Xi's Army, Xi's Rules
Since assuming power in 2012, President Xi Jinping has consistently emphasized that the Communist Party's survival hinges on its absolute control over the military. Early in his tenure, he pointed to the collapse of the Soviet Union as a cautionary tale illustrating the consequences of weakened party control over the armed forces. This ideological framework has fueled a relentless campaign aimed at eradicating graft, factionalism, and perceived disloyalty within the PLA ranks.
An editorial published in the PLA's official newspaper characterized the anti-corruption fight as a "major political struggle that it cannot afford to lose," one that is crucial for "ensuring the socialist red state never changes color." Analysts interpret this language as a clear indication that the campaign extends beyond mere clean governance; it is fundamentally about ensuring ideological reliability and unwavering personal loyalty to President Xi.
Previous Purges and Current Significance
Previous anti-corruption purges have already swept through critical military branches, including the Rocket Force, which oversees China's nuclear arsenal, leading to the removal of former defense ministers and senior theater commanders. What distinguishes the Zhang Youxia investigation is his elevated status within the military hierarchy. As one of only two CMC vice-chairmen and a long-serving general with extensive experience in ground forces, he occupies a position at the very core of China's military command structure.
Corruption, Combat Capability, and the Taiwan Factor
This crackdown is unfolding against the backdrop of China's rapid military modernization, which includes the development and display of advanced drones, hypersonic missiles, and intercontinental ballistic missiles, alongside an expansion of its nuclear arsenal. However, persistent corruption scandals have raised serious doubts about procurement processes, training standards, and overall readiness, particularly in high-budget, technically complex branches such as the Rocket Force.
Some analysts argue that President Xi views corruption not merely as a moral failing but as a direct threat to combat effectiveness. From this perspective, materialism and graft can render officers vulnerable to external influences and diminish their willingness to engage in combat. The leadership's underlying fear is that a corrupt military may appear formidable on paper but could falter decisively during an actual crisis.
This concern is especially acute given Beijing's strategic focus on Taiwan. US intelligence assessments have indicated that Xi aims for the PLA to possess the capability to seize the self-governed island by 2027. The Rocket Force's anti-ship and long-range strike missiles are considered central to any such operational plan, designed to deter and keep US forces at bay.
By targeting his most senior general, President Xi is sending an unequivocal message: no rank guarantees immunity, and political reliability is inextricably linked to military power. This investigation reinforces the principle that loyalty to the party and its leadership remains paramount, even at the highest echelons of China's military establishment.
