Xi Jinping purges top generals in sweeping PLA anti-corruption drive

China has launched a major investigation into two of its most senior military leaders, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli , for suspected “serious violations of discipline and law,” the Defence Ministry announced on Saturday. The probe, approved by the Communist Party’s top leadership, has shocked the People’s Liberation Army and the wider political establishment.

Zhang, 75, is Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and a member of the Politburo, making him the highest-ranking uniformed officer currently under scrutiny. Liu, 61, is also a CMC member and heads its Joint Staff Department, overseeing operational planning and combat readiness.

The main reason for the investigation has not been disclosed. Analysts suggest it could involve corruption, abuse of power, violations of Party discipline, or political disloyalty . The term “serious violations of discipline and law” often covers both illegal financial activity and breaches of loyalty to the leadership.

Some reports have highlighted alleged mismanagement in the PLA to explain the rise in probes. One widely circulated claim, based on unnamed U.S. intelligence sources, suggested that missiles were filled with water instead of fuel and missile silo lids were installed incorrectly , reflecting possible negligence or embezzlement. While unconfirmed, analysts cite it as indicative of the type of operational failures the anti-corruption campaign aims to address.

Since Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, nearly five million officials and Party members have been investigated or disciplined, though only 20,000-30,000 have been formally arrested or prosecuted. Many senior officials are quietly removed or expelled, fueling speculation and sudden disappearances within the Party and military.

The investigation underscores Xi’s drive to consolidate absolute Party control over the military. Analysts compare the campaign’s scale to Mao Zedong-era purges , though Xi’s approach relies on disciplinary and legal mechanisms rather than mass mobilizations. Zhang’s fall, in particular, signals the leadership’s resolve to enforce loyalty and discipline at the very top of the PLA.