China's military leadership is undergoing a significant shake-up as a high-profile general faces investigation for alleged violations. The defense ministry has confirmed that Zhang Youxia, a key figure in President Xi Jinping's inner circle, is under scrutiny. This development comes amidst an aggressive anti-corruption purge targeting senior military officials.
Zhang, as the vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), has been a trusted ally of Xi. However, the ministry's announcement on Saturday revealed that he and Liu Zhenli, the chief of staff of the CMC's joint staff department, are being investigated for suspected serious disciplinary and legal breaches. The Wall Street Journal reported that Zhang is accused of leaking sensitive information about China's nuclear program to the US and accepting bribes, including the promotion of an officer to defense minister. These allegations have sparked intense interest and scrutiny.
The military, a focal point of Xi's corruption crackdown since 2012, has seen a series of high-profile purges. Zhang's removal is the second of a sitting general on the CMC since the Cultural Revolution. His absence from public view since November has raised concerns among foreign diplomats and security analysts, especially given his close ties to Xi and the commission's critical role in command and military modernization. Despite China's decades-long absence from war, its assertive stance in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and over Taiwan has been a cause for attention.
James Char, a China security scholar, suggests that the military's daily operations may continue uninterrupted, but the targeting of Zhang indicates a response to criticism of selective purges. Char notes that Xi has been strategically replacing senior officers with second-line PLA officers, aiming to modernize the military by 2035 and establish it as a world-class force by 2049. This strategic approach to leadership transition is a key aspect of China's military strategy.
Zhang's military career began in 1968, and he quickly rose through the ranks. His combat experience, including a brief but intense border war with Vietnam in 1979, has been a significant part of his rise. The China Youth Daily praised his performance during the 1979 conflict, highlighting his emergence as a modernizer in military tactics and training. The ongoing investigation and its implications for China's military leadership remain a topic of intense interest and discussion.
