Zhang Youxia, a Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) general, member of the CCP Politburo, and first-ranking vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), second in the PLA's ranks only to Comrade Xi Jinping, has been put under investigation over "suspected violations of discipline", and became one of the highest-ranking military officers to fall from power since the Lin Biao incident in 1971.

Zhang had a remarkable career within the PLA. Born in 1950, he is the son of Zhang Zongxun, a Communist general in the Chinese Civil War, giving him Red Princeling status. Zhang's father fought alongside Xi's father during the Chinese civil war that led to Mao's Communist forces seizing power in 1949, and because of this he has always been considered a longtime Xi ally.

Zhang joined the army in December 1968 at 18 years of age. Zhang took part in the Sino-Vietnamese War of 1979. Because of his performance, he was promoted to the head of the training section of the 118th Regiment (at the battalion level) and later became the chief of staff of the 118th Regiment (at the deputy regimental level). After the Battle of Laoshan, Zhang Youxia was immediately promoted to deputy commander of the 40th Division of the Army.

In 1990, he was promoted to commander of the 40th Motorized Infantry Division and awarded the rank of senior colonel. In 1994, he was promoted to deputy commander of the 13th Group Army. In August 2000, he was named commander of the 13th Group Army.[5] In December 2005, he became the vice commander of the Beijing Military Region. He was promoted to commander of the Shenyang Military Region in September 2007.

He attained the rank of major general in 1997, and lieutenant general in 2007. The same year he became a member of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

In July 2011, he was promoted to General. In November 2012 Zhang was named a member of the Central Military Commission. In October 2017, Zhang was named as a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party and the second-ranking vice chairman of the CCP Central Military Commission. He also became the vice chairman of the state CMC in March 2018.

On 24 January 2026, the Ministry of National Defense announced that Zhang has been placed under investigation due to a decision by the CCP Central Committee over suspected "serious violations of discipline." The South China Morning Post reported Zhang was arrested on 19 January. It also reported that top CCP officials were briefed about Zhang's case on 23 January, and that Zhang was suspected of corruption, failing to rein in his close associates, family members and relatives and for not flagging problems to the party leadership at the first instance.

The Wall Street Journal reported on 25 January that there was a briefing to the top military officials regarding Zhang on 24 January, in which it was said Zhang was put under investigation for allegedly forming political cliques, promoting Li Shangfu as defense minister in exchange of large bribes, and leaking core technical data on China's nuclear weapons to the United States.

Given that the Chinese government's mandarins, both civilian and military, rise in rank based primarily on their favor with leader Xi Jinping, it is striking to note how nearly the entire top ranks of the Chinese armed forces have been decimated, so much so that at present the only survivor is Xi himself.

Every single general promoted by Xi has been removed on the basis of a variety of accusations, primarily corruption but also, as in the case of Zhang, decidedly more defamatory accusations, so much so as to cast serious doubt on Xi's ability to select the right people for the roles they are to fill.

As things stand, I think it's safe to conclude that Taiwan can sleep soundly for a long time to come.

In fact, it is easy to predict that the next generals promoted by Xi will also have characteristics similar to those he has chosen up to now.

Shades of 1937 Russsia. I wonder if we precipitated this like the Germans did to Stalin

I never thought of sympathizing with Communist Spies, I grew up in a time where Communist /Communism was lower than the deepest abomination.

17 hours ago, riclag said:

I never thought of sympathizing with Communist Spies, I grew up in a time where Communist /Communism was lower than the deepest abomination.

From the way you consistently lievel accusations of being communists at those you disagree with, it seems that you grew up in the McCarthy era.

On 1/26/2026 at 2:49 PM, AndreasHG said:

Zhang Youxia, a Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) general, member of the CCP Politburo, and first-ranking vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), second in the PLA's ranks only to Comrade Xi Jinping, has been put under investigation over "suspected violations of discipline", and became one of the highest-ranking military officers to fall from power since the Lin Biao incident in 1971.

Zhang had a remarkable career within the PLA. Born in 1950, he is the son of Zhang Zongxun, a Communist general in the Chinese Civil War, giving him Red Princeling status. Zhang's father fought alongside Xi's father during the Chinese civil war that led to Mao's Communist forces seizing power in 1949, and because of this he has always been considered a longtime Xi ally.

Zhang joined the army in December 1968 at 18 years of age. Zhang took part in the Sino-Vietnamese War of 1979. Because of his performance, he was promoted to the head of the training section of the 118th Regiment (at the battalion level) and later became the chief of staff of the 118th Regiment (at the deputy regimental level). After the Battle of Laoshan, Zhang Youxia was immediately promoted to deputy commander of the 40th Division of the Army.

In 1990, he was promoted to commander of the 40th Motorized Infantry Division and awarded the rank of senior colonel. In 1994, he was promoted to deputy commander of the 13th Group Army. In August 2000, he was named commander of the 13th Group Army.[5] In December 2005, he became the vice commander of the Beijing Military Region. He was promoted to commander of the Shenyang Military Region in September 2007.

He attained the rank of major general in 1997, and lieutenant general in 2007. The same year he became a member of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

In July 2011, he was promoted to General. In November 2012 Zhang was named a member of the Central Military Commission. In October 2017, Zhang was named as a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party and the second-ranking vice chairman of the CCP Central Military Commission. He also became the vice chairman of the state CMC in March 2018.

On 24 January 2026, the Ministry of National Defense announced that Zhang has been placed under investigation due to a decision by the CCP Central Committee over suspected "serious violations of discipline." The South China Morning Post reported Zhang was arrested on 19 January. It also reported that top CCP officials were briefed about Zhang's case on 23 January, and that Zhang was suspected of corruption, failing to rein in his close associates, family members and relatives and for not flagging problems to the party leadership at the first instance.

The Wall Street Journal reported on 25 January that there was a briefing to the top military officials regarding Zhang on 24 January, in which it was said Zhang was put under investigation for allegedly forming political cliques, promoting Li Shangfu as defense minister in exchange of large bribes, and leaking core technical data on China's nuclear weapons to the United States.

Given that the Chinese government's mandarins, both civilian and military, rise in rank based primarily on their favor with leader Xi Jinping, it is striking to note how nearly the entire top ranks of the Chinese armed forces have been decimated, so much so that at present the only survivor is Xi himself.

Every single general promoted by Xi has been removed on the basis of a variety of accusations, primarily corruption but also, as in the case of Zhang, decidedly more defamatory accusations, so much so as to cast serious doubt on Xi's ability to select the right people for the roles they are to fill.

As things stand, I think it's safe to conclude that Taiwan can sleep soundly for a long time to come.

In fact, it is easy to predict that the next generals promoted by Xi will also have characteristics similar to those he has chosen up to now.

There is a rumor that a coup was attempted in China.

https://eadaily.com/en/news/2026/01/26/an-attempted-coup-was-prevented-in-china

3 hours ago, Fact said:

There is a rumor that a coup was attempted in China.

https://eadaily.com/en/news/2026/01/26/an-attempted-coup-was-prevented-in-china

EurAsia Daily - Wikipedia

Could the CIA have planted evidence to get him out of the way?

The Wall Street Journal is purely speculating here. The reasons for his purge are not known. The wording of the official statement suggests he crossed the chairman of the CMC, one Xi Jiping.