China’s military probe leaves top command with just two active members

(MENAFN) China’s latest anti-corruption probe within its armed forces—this time focusing on the country’s most senior uniformed officer—has dramatically reduced the membership of its top military decision-making body, leaving only two officials in place.

The investigation involves Zhang Youxia, 75, who serves as first vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the body that oversees the overall strength and operational readiness of the People’s Liberation Army. The commission itself is chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Authorities are also examining Liu Zhenli, another CMC member who heads the Joint Staff Department, further thinning the ranks of the military’s top leadership.

China’s military command structure is formally headed by Xi and is meant to include seven members: two vice chairmen and four additional commissioners. However, intensified scrutiny of the armed forces in recent years has sharply reduced that number.

At present, only Xi and Zhang Shengmin—who serves as secretary of the CMC’s discipline inspection commission—remain in active roles. The other five figures who joined the current CMC lineup in 2022, namely Zhang Youxia, He Weidong, Li Shangfu, Miao Hua, and Liu Zhenli, have all come under investigation.

Most of the cases involve allegations described as “suspected serious discipline and law violations,” a phrase commonly used in China to signal corruption-related accusations.

Regarding Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli specifically, a military-affiliated outlet stated that the two “undermined” Xi’s authority, abetted "political and corruption problems" and undermined the party’s leadership over the armed forces, and "caused immense damage" to combat effectiveness.

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