China's defence ministry says it has opened an investigation into the country's highest-ranking general over grave violations of discipline and the law.
The ministry gave no further details about accusations against General Zhang Youxia, widely seen as President Xi Jinping's closest military ally; however, such accusations typically suggest corruption in China.
Alongside Zhang, another senior military officer, General Liu Zhenli, is also under investigation. The removal of these officials closely follows the expulsion of nine top generals last October, marking one of the military's most extensive public crackdowns in decades.
Zhang, who is 75 years old, serves as a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) - the party group that operates under President Xi and oversees the armed forces. He is also a member of the Politburo, the Communist Party's top decision-making body.
His father was among the founding generals of the Chinese Communist Party, and Zhang himself joined the military in 1968, making him one of the few senior leaders with combat experience. His prolonged tenure beyond the traditional retirement age for military personnel suggested President Xi's confidence in Zhang until recent rumors of his possible investigation arose, particularly as he was absent from a major party event in December.
Days ahead of the announcement, speculations emerged about the two generals after they failed to attend a high-profile gathering.
President Xi has launched numerous anti-corruption initiatives since taking power, particularly targeting the military. He has labeled corruption as the biggest threat to the Communist Party, emphasizing that the ongoing battle against it is grave and complex. While advocates argue that this strategy promotes good governance, critics contend that it serves as a mechanism for Xi to remove political adversaries from power.
With the latest investigations into Zhang and Liu, the composition of the CMC has dwindled from seven members down to just Xi and Zhang Shengmin, who oversees the military's disciplinary matters.
