【Epoch Times News February 21, 2026】The Vice Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party’s Military Commission, Zhang Youxia, was detained last month, and various versions of the details of his arrest have emerged. Recently, American media reported that he was intercepted by personnel sent by Xi Jinping while on his way to attend a meeting at the Central Party School of the CCP.
On February 20, the Wall Street Journal cited sources close to the decision-making layer of the Chinese government as saying that on a “cold, gloomy winter day,” Zhang Youxia was on his way to the Central Party School of the CCP to meet with hundreds of senior officials, including Xi Jinping. However, security personnel dispatched by Xi intercepted Zhang Youxia on the way, detained him at a secret location, and searched his residence, arresting his son, who is a military researcher.
Prior to Zhang Youxia’s arrest, there were at least six different versions of the details circulating, making it difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood.
Some reports suggest that Zhang Youxia was taken away on the spot by relevant parties before attending an internal meeting at the headquarters of the Central Military Commission’s Bayi Building; while others claim that Zhang Youxia was actually arrested as early as January 17 at the Beijing West Guesthouse. Earlier reports by NTD Television stated that Zhang Youxia, accompanied by only four bodyguards, was ambushed by over a hundred people on his way to the meeting and subsequently arrested, along with his relatives. Commentator Cai Shenkun revealed on January 25 that Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were arrested at the Central Party School by the Central Guard Bureau, with Liu Jinguo of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection overseeing the operation.
On January 20, Zhang Youxia and CCP Military Commission member Liu Zhenli were absent from the opening ceremony of the “Four Plenary Session Study Class for Provincial and Ministerial-Level Officials” at the Central Party School. Following their absence, rumors spread regarding the downfall of the two individuals, and on January 24, their downfall was officially announced.
The Wall Street Journal’s aforementioned report also mentioned that a few days before Zhang Youxia’s arrest, Xi Jinping quietly appointed a new commander to lead the forces responsible for security in Beijing. He selected a commander from the Shanghai Armed Police, breaking the tradition of appointing military officers. This move aims to ensure that the capital’s defense is led by individuals loyal to Xi Jinping himself, rather than being controlled by the military network associated with Zhang Youxia.
The position of Commander of the Beijing Garrison District, which had been vacant for nearly a year, was assumed in early January by former Commander of the Shanghai Armed Police General Chen Yuan. This news only garnered attention after being reported by mainland media in early February. The importance of the Beijing Garrison District is significant, and it is believed that this transfer may be related to Xi Jinping’s strategic moves in arresting Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli.
The Wall Street Journal’s reports, along with previous rumors and analyses circulating, are largely similar and difficult to verify. Previously, the media cited sources claiming that Zhang Youxia was accused of leaking core technical data related to the CCP’s nuclear weapons program to the United States, as well as misconduct of power and accepting bribes for promoting officials. However, the authenticity of these revelations has sparked widespread skepticism.
Since the downfall of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, rumors of internal power struggles within the CCP, particularly within the military, have been constant. Several interviewees informed Epoch Times that during the Chinese New Year period, most military leaders at all levels opted to forego returning to their hometowns and officers in Beijing barely left their homes to avoid accusations of “forming factions.”
Both Zhang Youxia and Xi Jinping belong to the “princeling” faction and their families have a long-standing relationship. Zhang has always been seen as a military ally of Xi Jinping, so his sudden downfall has shaken public opinion.
Professor Pei Minxin from Claremont McKenna College expressed to American media that Zhang Youxia’s downfall marks a break in Xi Jinping’s belief that loyalty can guarantee security, leaving only continuous political purges to maintain power.
Media editor and former founder of an NPO in Shenzhen, Ai Shicheng, previously told Epoch Times that “Xi Jinping’s way of governing the military has shifted from controlling the army to guarding against the army, especially after the 21st National Congress, the uncertainty of political purges within the military has further increased.”