In a stunning turn of events, General Zhang Youxia, one of China’s highest-ranking military officials and a close ally of President Xi Jinping, is reportedly under investigation for allegedly leaking sensitive information about China’s nuclear weapons program to the United States. The accusations, which have sent shockwaves through the upper echelons of the Chinese military, surfaced during a high-level military briefing held on Saturday.
Beyond the grave allegations of nuclear espionage, General Zhang is also facing accusations of widespread corruption, including accepting bribes in exchange for promotions and high-ranking military positions. It is alleged that he played a role in assisting a former defense minister’s ascent to power through illicit means.
DZWatch has learned that the investigation extends beyond financial impropriety. The general is accused of building networks of influence that undermine party unity and abusing his authority within the Central Military Commission (CMC), the Communist Party’s highest military decision-making body.
The Chinese Defense Ministry confirmed on Saturday that the ruling Communist Party had launched investigations into two senior military officials: General Zhang Youxia and General Liu Zhenli. Zhang is a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, while Liu heads the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission.
Zhang’s Background and Influence
General Zhang, 75, is considered a strong proponent of military modernization and is widely regarded as President Xi Jinping’s closest military confidant. He is one of the few senior officers with combat experience. As one of the Vice Chairmen of the CMC, he holds a pivotal position in the leadership of China’s armed forces.
The military has been a primary target of Xi Jinping’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign, which began in 2012. The campaign reached new heights in 2023 with investigations targeting the Rocket Force. The implications of these latest accusations against General Zhang are significant, given his long-standing ties to President Xi and his prominent role in the Chinese military establishment. The investigation is ongoing.
