China's defence ministry has announced that it has opened an investigation into the country's highest-ranking general, General Zhang Youxia, citing 'grave violations of discipline and the law'. The announcement, made by the ministry, did not provide specific details about the allegations against Zhang, who has been seen as a close ally of President Xi Jinping. However, in the Chinese context, such allegations often hint at corruption issues.
Alongside Zhang, another senior military officer, General Liu Zhenli, is also under investigation. This development follows the expulsion of nine top generals a few months prior, marking one of the largest public crackdowns on the military in years.
At 75 years old, Zhang serves as a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC)—the Communist Party entity that oversees the armed forces. He is also part of the Politburo, the party's key decision-making body. Zhang has a notable history in the military, having joined the army in 1968, and he is one of the few senior leaders with combat experience.
Despite being well-regarded, Zhang's continued tenure beyond the typical retirement age indicated Xi's prior confidence in him. However, speculation about his potential investigation arose when he and Liu were absent from a significant party event in December.
This investigation aligns with President Xi's broader anti-corruption campaign, which he has dubbed the 'biggest threat' to the Communist Party. Critics suggest that these anti-corruption efforts may serve a dual purpose: promoting good governance while also providing means to eliminate political adversaries.
Following the inquiry into Zhang and Liu, the membership of the CMC has thinned, leaving only Xi and Zhang Shengmin, responsible for the military's disciplinary concerns, as its remaining members.
