China expels 2 top generals of the “disloyal” CCP: Why is Xi Jinping cleaning the top ranks of the PLA? | Today’s news
China on Monday expelled two senior military generals, including the top uniformed officer of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), from the Communist Party and army over allegations of corruption, disloyalty and serious disciplinary violations. According to Chinese state media, the decision was formally approved at a Politburo meeting presided over by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The two generals – former Central Military Commission (CMC) vice chairman Zhang Youxia, 75, and former chief of staff of the CMC’s Joint Staff Department Liu Zhenli, 61 – were dismissed following an investigation into alleged misconduct, Reuters reported.
According to media reports, the latest action comes as Xi continues a sweeping crackdown on corruption and discipline in China’s military, with the PLA a major focus of the campaign in recent years.
Why were Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli expelled?
Chinese authorities have accused the two former military leaders of violating political discipline and party rules, failing to follow party policies and failing to supervise their subordinates and family members.
Citing official documents, state-run Xinhua said Zhang and Liu “seriously violated political discipline and political rules” and formed “cliques and factions” while being “disloyal” to the Communist Party.
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The authorities also alleged that their political and economic misconduct was linked to corruption, dereliction of duty and abuse of office.
According to Xinhua, the alleged crimes involved extremely large financial sums and were considered extremely serious by the Chinese leadership.
The investigation into Zhang and Liu was announced in January. Both were subsequently dismissed from China’s state-run Central Military Commission in late August, Reuters reported.
Zhang was also formally detained by military corruption investigators that month.
The two men were members of the CMC, China’s top military command body headed by Xi.
Zhang served as the first vice chairman of the CMC and was the highest-ranking uniformed officer in the Chinese military. His leadership also made him one of the most powerful military figures behind Xi.
Who are Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli?
Zhang and Liu were no ordinary military officials. Both were senior PLA commanders with combat experience and participated in China’s military campaign against Vietnam in the late 1970s.
They were also the only two CMC members with combat experience, according to PTI.
Zhang, in particular, has long been considered a close military ally of Xi. His removal therefore has significance beyond the corruption allegations themselves, given his position at the top of China’s military hierarchy.
What is Xi Jinping’s wider military intervention?
The expulsions of Zhang and Liu are part of a much broader anti-corruption and discipline campaign launched by Xi after he came to power in 2012.
Xi has overseen a sweeping crackdown on China’s bureaucracy, with millions of officials investigated or disciplined to varying degrees, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The military is increasingly becoming a key target of this campaign.
Several senior PLA officials have been removed in recent years amid corruption investigations, raising questions about the extent of wrongdoing in the military and Xi Jinping’s efforts to tighten political control over the armed forces.
The PLA is ultimately controlled by the Communist Party through the Central Military Commission, rather than being an independent military institution. Xi chairs the CMC and has repeatedly stressed the need for absolute loyalty to the Communist Party and strict discipline within the armed forces, according to Xinhua.
The removal left only two active figures in the previously seven-member CMC, including Xi himself as chairman.
