China expels two top disloyal military leaders from Communist Party

China removed two of its most powerful military leaders from the ruling Communist Party following a meeting of top officials in Beijing on Monday. The high-level expulsions target Zhang Youxia, who served as the senior of the two vice chairs of the top military body in China and was widely seen as the closest military ally to President Xi Jinping, alongside Liu Zhenli, a Central Military Commission (CMC) member and the chief of staff of its joint staff department.

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The Chinese leadership accused both officials of severe political and disciplinary breaches, stating that the pair had become disloyal to the Party … and crossed red lines by engaging in offenses including forming cliques and factions. State-run media reported that the investigation determined the two men’s political and economic wrongdoing were intertwined, and corrupt self-enrichment coexisted with dereliction of duty and abuse of office.

Xinhua said that the sums involved were exceptionally large; the nature (of their conduct) was extremely serious and the impact extremely egregious.

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According to official reports, the accused officers also used their positions to help others in matters such as job promotion, and their expulsion would be subject to ratification at a plenary session of the Party’s Central Committee. Following a meeting of top officials in Beijing on Monday, top officials decided to expel the two men from the Communist Party and transfer their cases to the military’s legal organs for review and prosecution, Chinese state media Xinhua reported. In January, the defence ministry said Mr Zhang and Mr Liu were suspected of serious violations of discipline and the law — a common term for corruption — but did not provide any details of the alleged wrongdoing.

The Chinese leadership accused Mr Zhang and Mr Liu of disloyalty, corruption, dereliction of duty and other serious disciplinary violations. Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli seriously violated political discipline and political rules, formed cliques and factions, and were disloyal and dishonest to the party, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Monday, citing official documents. No details of the alleged crimes were provided.

According to official reports, the accused officers also used their positions to help others in matters such as job promotion. The expulsion decisions will require formal ratification at an upcoming plenary session of the Party’s Central Committee, while their legal files have been transferred to military organs for review and prosecution.

Escalating Purges Within China’s Military Command

Investigations into the pair were announced in January, and they were removed from the military in late August. Last month, Mr Zhang and Mr Liu were stripped of their positions in the state CMC. Zhang’s downfall marks a striking turn given his elite standing as a member of the elite Politburo of the ruling Communist Party and is one of just a few leading officers with combat experience. Previous high-profile actions in the sweeping anti-corruption push included the June 2024 expulsion of former Defence Minister Li Shangfu and his predecessor. More than a year later, China dismissed the second-highest-ranking general and eight other senior officials from the military and party. The military has become an increasing target of the anti-corruption purges, leaving two active members – including Xi serving as chairman – on the formerly seven-member CMC.

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Political Timing Ahead of Washington Talks and Party Conclave

Monday’s decision reaffirms the firm position that … there is absolutely no place for corrupt elements to hide within the military, Xinhua said. The announcement came days before Mr Xi is due to travel to the US for talks with US President Donald Trump, and weeks before a key October party conclave on internal party governance and discipline.