China’s top military official, Zhang Youxia, is under investigation for alleged corruption, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing anti-corruption campaign targeting military leadership. The Ministry of National Defense confirmed on Saturday that both Zhang, who is the vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and Liu Zhenli, chief of staff for the CMC’s joint staff department, are being scrutinized for suspected serious violations of discipline and law.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Zhang faces allegations of leaking sensitive information about China’s nuclear weapons program to the United States and accepting bribes, including facilitating an officer’s promotion to defense minister. The Guardian has not independently verified these claims. Zhang has been a prominent figure in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and a close ally of President Xi Jinping.
Zhang’s investigation comes amid a broader crackdown on corruption that Xi initiated in 2012, which has now reached high-ranking military officials. This recent wave of purges has notably impacted the elite Rocket Force within the PLA. Zhang’s removal represents the second case of a sitting general from the CMC facing such scrutiny since the Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976. Notably, he has not been seen in public since November 20, 2023, when he engaged in discussions with Russia’s defense minister in Moscow.
Military Context and Implications
The unfolding situation is closely monitored by foreign diplomats and security analysts due to its potential impact on China’s military strategy. The CMC’s actions are crucial not only for command functions but also for the PLA’s ongoing modernization efforts. While China has not engaged in armed conflict in recent decades, it has adopted an increasingly assertive stance in regional disputes, particularly in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and regarding Taiwan, which China claims as its territory. In late 2022, Beijing conducted its largest military exercises around Taiwan to date.
According to James Char, a security scholar based in Singapore, the military’s operations are likely to remain unaffected by the ongoing purges. He suggests that Xi Jinping is responding to criticisms regarding the selective nature of the corruption crackdown. “Xi has been tapping on second-line PLA officers to fill those roles vacated by their predecessors,” Char stated, noting that these changes are often temporary.
Zhang is not the only high-ranking officer to face repercussions; He Weidong, a former CMC vice-chair, was expelled from the party and PLA in October 2022 for corruption. This purge also included eight top generals expelled from the Communist Party on graft charges, highlighting the extensive nature of the crackdown.
Historical Background and Career
Born in Beijing, Zhang joined the army in 1968 and has risen through the ranks to become a key figure in the PLA. He joined the CMC in late 2012 as military modernization efforts gained momentum. His military career includes significant combat experience, such as participating in the brief but intense border conflict with Vietnam in 1979, which arose after Vietnam’s invasion of Cambodia. Zhang was just 26 at the time and quickly distinguished himself in combat.
The official China Youth Daily noted in a 2017 profile that Zhang performed admirably in battles, reinforcing his reputation as a capable military leader. Scholars have pointed out that his experiences in conflict have positioned him as a proponent of modern military tactics and the necessity for a well-trained force.
As the investigation into Zhang Youxia unfolds, the implications for China’s military leadership and broader geopolitical strategies remain significant. The outcomes of these developments will likely influence both the PLA’s operational capabilities and China’s stance in regional tensions.
