China Expels Two Top Generals Over Alleged Disloyalty, Corruption

China has expelled two of its most senior military leaders from the ruling Communist Party and the armed forces after an investigation accused them of disloyalty, corruption, abuse of office and other serious disciplinary violations.

The two officers, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, were formally removed following a meeting of the Communist Party’s Politburo on Monday, September 21. Their cases have been transferred to military prosecutors for further examination and prosecution, according to Chinese state media.

Zhang, who was the senior of the two vice-chairmen of the Central Military Commission (CMC), was one of China’s highest-ranking military officials. He was also a member of the 24-member Politburo and had been widely regarded as a close military associate of President Xi Jinping.

Liu was a member of the CMC and served as chief of staff of its Joint Staff Department. Investigations into both men were announced in January, while they were removed from their positions on the state CMC in August.

According to China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the investigation found that Zhang and Liu had violated political and organisational rules, formed factions, and were allegedly disloyal to the Communist Party.

The authorities also accused the pair of using their positions to assist others with promotions, accepting large sums of money and gifts, failing to properly supervise relatives and staff, and neglecting their responsibilities. Chinese authorities described the alleged sums involved as exceptionally large and said the cases involved both political and economic misconduct.

The allegations go beyond the corruption charges that have accompanied several previous investigations of senior People’s Liberation Army officers. Reuters reported that the accusations of forming factions and disloyalty are particularly notable because they involve allegations of political conduct within the military leadership.

The expulsions are the latest development in a broad anti-corruption campaign that has affected China’s military leadership in recent years. A series of investigations and removals have resulted in major changes to the senior ranks of the People’s Liberation Army.

Chinese authorities have presented the campaign as an effort to strengthen discipline and eliminate corruption within the armed forces. Analysts cited by international media have also discussed the wider political implications of the continuing removals, although the extent to which the cases reflect internal political disputes remains contested.

The latest action comes days before Xi is expected to travel to the United States for talks with US President Donald Trump and ahead of a major Communist Party meeting scheduled for October.

Zhang and Liu will now face further legal proceedings through China’s military judicial system. Their expulsion from the Communist Party is also subject to formal ratification by the party’s Central Committee, according to the official announcement.