ISLAMABAD: China’s military leadership has been plunged into significantturmoil following official confirmation that two senior figures, includingthe nation’s highest-ranking general, are under investigation for seriousdisciplinary violations. The allegations, escalated by reports of leakingnuclear weapons program information to the United States, represent one ofthe most consequential developments in President Xi Jinping’s prolongedanti-corruption campaign within the People’s Liberation Army.
The Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced that General ZhangYouxia, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, and General LiuZhenli, chief of the CMC’s Joint Staff Department, are subject to probesfor suspected grave breaches of discipline and law. Zhang, aged 75 and aPolitburo member, has long been regarded as a trusted confidant of Xi,retained past standard retirement age as a mark of exceptional confidencein his loyalty and competence.
An editorial in the Liberation Army Daily, the official newspaper of thePLA, condemned the two officials for seriously betraying the trust of theCommunist Party and the CMC. It highlighted their role in fosteringpolitical and corruption issues that undermined Party authority over thearmed forces, emphasizing the imperative to maintain absolute control andideological purity within the military ranks.
The situation intensified with a detailed report by The Wall StreetJournal, which cited sources familiar with high-level briefings to allegethat Zhang stands accused of disclosing critical details concerning China’snuclear weapons program to American entities. The report further claimedinvolvement in accepting bribes linked to official decisions, includinginfluence over senior military appointments, though these assertions remainunverified by independent sources.
Zhang’s position as the senior vice-chairman of the CMC places him at theapex of PLA command structure, overseeing strategic decisions across theworld’s largest standing army. His reported fall leaves the commission withdiminished leadership, raising concerns about operational continuity at ajuncture when China asserts assertive postures in contested regionsincluding the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea maritime domains.
This episode forms part of Xi Jinping’s extensive anti-corruption driveinitiated in 2012, which has intensified targeting of the military elite inrecent years. The campaign has disciplined numerous high-ranking officers,including former defense ministers and Rocket Force commanders, withofficial figures indicating nearly one million individuals punished forcorruption-related offenses in 2025 alone, reflecting a sharp escalation inenforcement scale.
Analysts observe that purges at such elevated levels may signal Xi’sdetermination to eliminate potential disloyalty or factionalism within thearmed forces, ensuring unwavering alignment with Party directives. However,the targeting of figures previously viewed as inner-circle alliesintroduces uncertainty regarding the stability and cohesion of militarycommand structures during periods of heightened geopolitical tension.
The nuclear leak allegations, if substantiated, would constitute anextraordinary breach of national security, potentially compromisingadvancements in China’s strategic deterrent capabilities. Beijing hasmodernized its nuclear arsenal significantly in recent years, expandingwarhead numbers and delivery systems amid strategic competition with theUnited States, making any purported compromise particularly sensitive.
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Chinese authorities have maintained restraint in public disclosures,confining statements to standard disciplinary terminology withoutelaborating on specific charges. This approach aligns with establishedpractices in handling high-profile cases, allowing internal processes toproceed while limiting external speculation and international diplomaticfallout.
The implications extend beyond domestic military affairs, potentiallyaffecting perceptions of China’s command reliability and decision-makingcoherence. International observers monitoring Beijing’s regional ambitionsnote that leadership instability could influence assessments of PLAreadiness and responsiveness in crisis scenarios involving Taiwan ordisputed maritime boundaries.
As investigations continue, the case underscores the precarious nature ofpower within China’s opaque political system, where even the mostentrenched figures remain subject to swift accountability under Xi’sconsolidated authority. The outcome may further shape the trajectory ofmilitary reforms and anti-corruption efforts aimed at forging a loyal,combat-effective force.
Source:https://www.wsj.com/world/china/chinas-top-general-accused-of-giving-nuclear-secrets-to-u-s-b8f59dae
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