China’s top general Zhang Youxia placed under investigation amid power struggle

China’s highest-ranking general, Zhang Youxia, and fellow Central Military Commission member Liu Zhenli were placed under investigation, the defence ministry announced on Saturday. Zhang is vice-chair of the Central Military Commission and the second-most powerful figure in the People’s Liberation Army after Xi Jinping.

The ministry said the men were probed for 'suspected serious violations of discipline and law', language commonly used to signal corruption. A Sunday editorial in the PLA's official newspaper alleged they 'seriously betrayed the trust and expectations' of the party and 'fostered political and corruption problems that undermined the party's absolute leadership over the military', and suggested political issues as well as corruption were factors.

Analysts cited in the article offered competing interpretations. Neil Thomas called the episode 'easily the most significant PLA purge in the post-Mao era' and said it suggests Zhang betrayed Xi's trust. Dennis Wilder said a power struggle is a more likely explanation than corruption, arguing the purge reflects a general who 'became too powerful'.

Others, including Lyle Goldstein, warned against assuming the military lacks capable senior officers. The piece also noted US intelligence believes Xi has ordered the military to be ready to win a fight for Taiwan by 2027.