Full Breakdown
Expulsion of Two Senior PLA Generals Marks Deepening Anti-Corruption Drive
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Party Expels Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli
In late August 2026 the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) removed two of the People’s Liberation Army’s most senior figures—Zhang Youxia, former vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and the highest-ranking uniformed officer, and Liu Zhenli, former CMC member and chief of the Joint Staff Department. The party also accused the pair of leveraging their positions for massive monetary gains, accepting prohibited gifts, and failing to control the conduct of relatives and close staff. Their expulsions were accompanied by the termination of their delegate status for the 20th Party Congress and the transfer of their cases to military procuratorial bodies for legal review.
Background & Context
The expulsions occur within President Xi Jinping’s broader anti-corruption campaign, which intensified after he assumed the CMC chairmanship in 2012. The campaign has already removed dozens of senior officials across the party and state apparatus. Within the PLA, previous high-profile purges have included former CMC members He Weidong, Li Shangfu, and Miao Hua, as well as the 2024 removal of Defence Minister Li Shangfu and his predecessor. By the time of Zhang and Liu’s expulsion, only two active members—Xi Jinping and Vice-Chairman Zhang Shengmin—remained on the seven-seat CMC, underscoring the depth of the purge.
Timeline
- January 24 2026 (occurred): The Defence Ministry announced the investigation of Zhang and Liu.
- Late August 2026 (occurred): The Politburo formally expelled the two generals; the National People’s Congress stripped them of their state military posts on August 28 2026.
- Late October 2026 (scheduled): The full Central Committee will convene for its Fifth Plenum to ratify the expulsions.
Official Statements & Responses
The PLA Daily editorial described the investigation and punishment as eliminating a “major hidden political danger” and hailed it as a “major victory” in the military’s ongoing anti-corruption battle.
Data & Statistics
- CMC composition: After the expulsions, only two members—Xi Jinping (chair) and Zhang Shengmin (vice-chairman)—remain on the seven-seat commission.
- Previously removed CMC members: He Weidong, Li Shangfu, Miao Hua, Zhang Youxia, and Liu Zhenli.
- Charges listed: Abuse of authority for promotion trades, acceptance of prohibited gifts, failure to enforce party discipline among relatives and staff, and formation of factional “little circles.” No precise monetary figures were disclosed.
Why It Matters / Impact
The removal of the highest-ranking uniformed officer in a decade signals that the anti-corruption drive now fully encompasses the PLA’s top echelons. By reshaping the CMC’s leadership, the CCP reinforces party control over the military ahead of Xi Jinping’s scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington and the upcoming Fifth Plenum, where internal governance will be a central theme. The expulsions also serve as a warning to other senior officers that “zero tolerance” applies across all domains of the armed forces.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Public statements provide only a general description of the alleged crimes; detailed evidence, exact sums of money involved, and the outcomes of the military procuratorial review have not been released. No independent verification of the charges is available, leaving the full scope of the misconduct unclear.