Overview
- China’s defense ministry said Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli are under investigation for “serious violations of Party discipline and laws,” and Zhang was removed from his post.
- The Central Military Commission has been reduced to Xi Jinping and one remaining general, Zhang Shengmin, after a series of high-level removals since 2023.
- PLA Daily accused the two generals of undermining the CMC chairman responsibility system, signaling a drive to tighten political control over the armed forces.
- The Wall Street Journal reported unconfirmed allegations that Zhang shared nuclear-program information with the United States and took bribes, claims not publicly substantiated by Chinese authorities.
- Taiwan’s defense chief said Taipei is closely monitoring “abnormal” shifts in China’s military leadership, as analysts weigh potential short-term effects on PLA readiness and modernization goals.