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China’s investigation leaves army body with only two members
(MENAFN) China’s latest investigation into its military leadership, now targeting the country’s top uniformed officer, has left the Central Military Commission (CMC) with just two active members.
Zhang Youxia, 75, currently serves as the first vice chairman of the seven-member CMC, the highest military body in China, which is responsible for the overall capability and operational readiness of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). In addition to Zhang, authorities are investigating Liu Zhenli, a CMC member and chief of staff of the CMC Joint Staff Department.
The CMC, led by President Xi Jinping, traditionally consists of two vice chairmen and four other members, overseeing strategic and operational military affairs. Since Beijing began intensifying scrutiny over its military in recent years, the CMC has gradually been reduced to only Xi and Zhang Shengmin, who serves as secretary of the CMC’s commission discipline inspection.
The current seven-member CMC, formed in 2022, initially included Zhang Youxia, He Weidong, Li Shangfu, Miao Hua, and Liu Zhenli. However, almost all of these officials have come under investigation for “suspected serious discipline and law violations,” a term commonly used in Chinese officialdom to refer to corruption or graft.
According to the PLA’s official newspaper, People’s Liberation Army Daily, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli allegedly “undermined” Xi’s authority, contributed to political and corruption issues, and weakened the party’s control over the armed forces. The report claimed that their actions caused “immense damage” to the PLA’s combat effectiveness.
The unprecedented scale of these investigations has drawn attention to Xi Jinping’s efforts to tighten control over China’s military leadership, consolidating authority and ensuring loyalty among top officials. Analysts say the probe signals a continued campaign to eliminate both political and financial misconduct within the PLA while reinforcing Xi’s personal grip on the armed forces.
Zhang Youxia, 75, currently serves as the first vice chairman of the seven-member CMC, the highest military body in China, which is responsible for the overall capability and operational readiness of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). In addition to Zhang, authorities are investigating Liu Zhenli, a CMC member and chief of staff of the CMC Joint Staff Department.
The CMC, led by President Xi Jinping, traditionally consists of two vice chairmen and four other members, overseeing strategic and operational military affairs. Since Beijing began intensifying scrutiny over its military in recent years, the CMC has gradually been reduced to only Xi and Zhang Shengmin, who serves as secretary of the CMC’s commission discipline inspection.
The current seven-member CMC, formed in 2022, initially included Zhang Youxia, He Weidong, Li Shangfu, Miao Hua, and Liu Zhenli. However, almost all of these officials have come under investigation for “suspected serious discipline and law violations,” a term commonly used in Chinese officialdom to refer to corruption or graft.
According to the PLA’s official newspaper, People’s Liberation Army Daily, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli allegedly “undermined” Xi’s authority, contributed to political and corruption issues, and weakened the party’s control over the armed forces. The report claimed that their actions caused “immense damage” to the PLA’s combat effectiveness.
The unprecedented scale of these investigations has drawn attention to Xi Jinping’s efforts to tighten control over China’s military leadership, consolidating authority and ensuring loyalty among top officials. Analysts say the probe signals a continued campaign to eliminate both political and financial misconduct within the PLA while reinforcing Xi’s personal grip on the armed forces.
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