Story perspectives

Central Military Commission Expels Generals Zhang and Liu for Corruption

By Drooid · Sep 22, 2026, 11:00 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The Central Military Commission expelled General Zhang Youxia and General Liu Zhenli for corruption.
The Politburo approved the expulsions after investigations began on Jan. 24, 2026.
They were accused of forming cliques, taking huge gifts, and trading promotions for bribes.
Zhang, a CMC vice-chairman and Politburo member, had been Xi Jinping’s closest military ally.
Their removal left the CMC with only two members, Xi and Zhang Shengmin, before Xi’s Washington visit.

History

Historical Context

In September 1971, after Lin Biao’s alleged coup failed, the Central Military Commission and Politburo removed about 1,000 senior PLA officers, including General Huang Yongsheng, branding Lin a traitor. In January 2026 the same CMC expelled Vice-Chairman Zhang Youxia and General Liu Zhenli for forming cliques and taking bribes, mirroring the 1971 anti-corruption purge and underscoring the Party’s ongoing control over the military.

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Story summary

The Central Military Commission expelled General Zhang Youxia and General Liu Zhenli for corruption.
The Politburo approved the expulsions after investigations began on Jan. 24, 2026.
They were accused of forming cliques, taking huge gifts, and trading promotions for bribes.
Zhang, a CMC vice-chairman and Politburo member, had been Xi Jinping’s closest military ally.
Their removal left the CMC with only two members, Xi and Zhang Shengmin, before Xi’s Washington visit.

1 / 2