China Expels Top General Zhang Youxia for Corruption and Disloyalty

The Communist Party of China expelled Xi Jinping's former close ally, General Zhang Youxia, and his subordinate, Liu Zhenli, from the party and military service on September 21, 2026. The Politburo announced the decision following investigations into serious violations of law and discipline, including the acceptance of exceptionally large bribes in exchange for promotions.

Beyond financial graft, authorities accused the generals of forming a cabal and engaging in factionalism. The party characterized their actions as being disloyal and dishonest to the party and the president. Zhang, the first-ranked Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and a key architect of the 2020 Galwan Valley border strategy, and Liu, the former chief of the Joint Staff Department, were removed from their commands in late August after investigations began in January. Their cases have been transferred to military prosecutors for review and prosecution.

This purge is part of a broader anti-corruption campaign that has seen over 100 senior officers investigated since 2023, including officials such as Li Shangfu and Miao Hua. The removals mark a significant consolidation of power for the president; five of the seven members of the Central Military Commission formed after the 2022 Party Congress have now been removed, leaving only Xi Jinping and Vice Chairman Zhang Shengmin from the original body. The announcement occurred shortly before a scheduled meeting between President Xi and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.