Full Breakdown
Expulsion of Top PLA Generals Marks Deepening Anti-Corruption Drive
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Party and Military Expulsions
On September 21, 2026, the Chinese Communist Party expelled General Zhang Youxia and General Liu Zhenli from both the Party and the People’s Liberation Army. Zhang, a 75-year-old vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and Politburo member, had been seen as President Xi Jinping’s closest military ally. Liu, a CMC member and former chief of staff of the Joint Staff Department, was also removed. Their cases have been transferred to military prosecutors for legal review.
Background & Context
The expulsions follow Xi’s multi-year anti-corruption campaign that demands a “corruption-free” armed forces loyal to Party leadership. Earlier purges removed former defence minister Li Shangfu and other senior PLA officials. This action is the steepest fall for officers of Zhang’s rank since the 2015-2016 removal of former CMC vice-chairmen Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou.
Timeline
- August 28, 2026 – The National People’s Congress stripped both men of their state CMC posts.
- September 21, 2026 – The Politburo approved their expulsion; Xinhua released the official statement.
- Later this month – The Central Committee will convene for its Fifth Plenum, during which the expulsions must be ratified.
Official Statements & Responses
The statement said their offences combined corruption with dereliction of duty, causing “highly damaging impacts.” PLA Daily accused the generals of undermining Xi’s authority and harming combat effectiveness.
Data & Statistics
- Zhang held the second-most senior uniformed position in the PLA, reporting only to Xi as CMC chairman.
- Liu served as chief of staff of the Joint Staff Department, a key operational body within the CMC.
- The Party’s disciplinary charge sheet cites “particularly huge” sums of money received in exchange for promotions, though exact figures were not disclosed.
- After the expulsions, the seven-member CMC formed at the 20th Party Congress retains only two original members: Xi and Gen. Zhang Shengmin, secretary of the CMC’s discipline inspection commission.
Impact and Significance
The removal of Zhang and Liu consolidates Xi’s control over the military hierarchy and shows that even the highest-ranking officers are vulnerable to Party discipline. With the CMC now reduced to two original members, the leadership structure is being reshaped ahead of Xi’s planned visit to the United States for talks with President Donald Trump. Analysts note that the timing underscores Beijing’s intent to present a re-aligned military leadership before a high-profile diplomatic engagement and before the Fifth Plenum, which will set internal governance priorities.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
A January report cited by the Wall Street Journal alleged that Zhang passed information about China’s nuclear weapons program to the United States and accepted related bribes. Beijing has not publicly confirmed this allegation, and the official Xinhua statement provides no detail on such charges. The lack of disclosed financial amounts and the absence of a judicial verdict leave the full scope of the alleged misconduct unclear.
What’s Next
- Fifth Plenum – The Central Committee will vote on ratifying the expulsions; the outcome will determine whether the Party’s disciplinary actions become final.
- U.S. Visit – Xi’s upcoming trip to Washington is scheduled shortly after the expulsions, suggesting that the reshaped military leadership will be in place for high-level diplomatic talks.
- Legal Proceedings – Military prosecutors will review the cases, but no timeline for potential charges or sentencing has been announced.