Chinese authorities announced an investigation into two senior military officers for serious violations of discipline and law, a phrase China uses to describe corruption cases related to graft.
On Saturday, 24 Jan 2026 GMT+7, China's Ministry of National Defense stated that Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and another senior military official, Liu Zhenli, are under investigation as suspects for serious disciplinary and legal violations.
Zhang Youxia, aged 75, is considered one of the longest-serving allies of President Xi Jinping within the military. He is a professional soldier with battlefield experience, responsible for overseeing military operations, training, and procurement of weapons and equipment within the People's Liberation Army.
Reports also noted that Zhang's relationship with Xi Jinping is especially close, as their fathers fought together as comrades in the revolution.
Liu, aged 61, is a CMC member and serves as the Joint Chief of Staff, responsible for overseeing joint operations, training, and combat readiness of the People's Liberation Army.
News reports say Zhang and Liu were last seen publicly on 22 Dec when both attended a CMC ceremony to confer the rank of general on two senior officers.
China's state broadcaster CCTV reported that Xi Jinping, who is also CMC chairman, attended the ceremony, with Zhang announcing the promotion orders signed by Xi.
Besides the two newly appointed generals, images showed four other generals present, including Zhang Shengmin, appointed vice chairman of the CMC last October replacing He Weidong, who was dismissed due to misconduct, and Dong Jun, the Minister of National Defense.
The Ministry of National Defense's announcement follows weeks of speculation that Zhang Youxia might be in serious trouble, particularly after his absence from a high-level study session on 20 Jan attended by senior Communist Party and military leaders.
Reports also indicate that Liu Zhenli was another absentee from the 20 Jan event without explanation. Two others under scrutiny for missing the meeting are Ma Xingrui, former Communist Party Secretary of Xinjiang Autonomous Region, and Shi Taifeng, head of the Communist Party Central Organization Department.
Ma's disappearance has fueled rumors about his fate, as reports say he has not appeared publicly for months, while Shi's absence remains unexplained.
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Source:cna