The sudden downfall of Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Military Commission, has sparked international attention. Drew Thompson, a former U.S. Department of Defense official who had contact with Zhang for a week, wrote an article on January 26 this year, detailing the early years of Zhang’s visit to the United States and exposing several photos, including one of Zhang test-firing a machine gun. Thompson believes that without Zhang in the military commission, the risk of misjudgment by the Chinese Communist Party will increase.
In his article titled “The Shocking Downfall of Zhang Youxia,” Thompson first expressed that while he was shocked by the news of Zhang’s arrest, in fact, he should not have been surprised because since 2023, he had heard rumors of Zhang being investigated, but had always hoped that he could evade Xi Jinping’s relentless purges. This hope stemmed from his admiration for Zhang.
According to Thompson, in May 2012, Zhang Youxia, who was then the commander of the Shenyang Military Region, accompanied Defense Minister Liang Guanglie on a week-long visit to the United States. At that time, Thompson was the director of China, Taiwan, and Mongolia affairs at the U.S. Department of Defense, and accompanied the delegation throughout the visit, getting to know Zhang Youxia. Liang Guanglie’s delegation met with U.S. officials at the Pentagon and visited U.S. military bases.
Thompson stated that promotions of Chinese military officers often rely heavily on political loyalty and personal relationships, leading to a lack of insight among many senior officers. In the culture of the Chinese military, loyalty and ideology are considered more important than combat capabilities, and critical thinking and independent thinking become a burden rather than an advantage. However, Zhang Youxia was different from most other Chinese military leaders he had encountered.
“He has experienced war and become humble because of it. He received a good education, is exceptionally intelligent, and has keen intuition. He can understand the importance and value of exhibits at a glance, and perhaps understands why we need to show him these things,” Thompson said.
Thompson mentioned that he has worked closely with Chinese military personnel responsible for U.S. affairs for many years and found that the respect level of staff officers for Chinese generals is low, as many of these staff officers essentially bought their positions.
But Zhang Youxia was an exception. Other Chinese military leaders and staff officers highly respected him. Whenever Zhang entered a room, his subordinates would instinctively stand straight and show him deep respect. This was not just because he was one of the few officers who participated in the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War or because of his relationship with Xi Jinping, but also because of his own abilities.
Thompson noted that Zhang’s interactions with him during the week-long U.S. visit surpassed any other Chinese delegation leader, as Zhang Youxia was not afraid or hesitant to communicate with foreigners, unlike some other high-ranking Chinese officials. “He was willing to talk to me, which was impressive because it was unusual,” Thompson said.
Thompson specifically mentioned an example during Zhang Youxia’s visit to Fort Benning in Georgia where there were static displays of weapon systems that could be test-fired. Many Chinese military officers are primarily engaged in administrative and political work, with many having never fired a gun or hesitating to do so. However, Zhang Youxia was different; he eagerly seized the opportunity to shoot a machine gun. He carefully observed all the static displays and asked excellent questions about American technology and doctrine, showcasing intelligence beyond his colleagues.
Thompson also shared multiple photos of Zhang Youxia taken during his visit to Fort Benning in Georgia, including a photo of him test-firing a machine gun.
Thompson expressed his hope that Zhang Youxia would continue to serve as Chairman of the Central Military Commission because among active Chinese military leaders, he is the only one who can provide Xi Jinping with the most objective advice on the military capabilities and deficiencies of the PLA and the critical military implications of personnel casualties. He can objectively assess the military capabilities of the U.S. and Taiwan and explain to Xi Jinping the military risks and costs of taking Taiwan. A bootlicker without combat experience can only say what Xi Jinping wants to hear, Thompson mentioned.
Thompson believes that without Zhang Youxia in the military commission, the risk of misjudgment by the Chinese Communist Party will increase.
Additionally, Thompson also confirmed the disappearance of Minnie Chan, a senior Chinese journalist specializing in Chinese military and foreign diplomacy, in 2023 due to tracking negative rumors about Zhang Youxia.
Minnie Chan, a senior Chinese journalist, focused on Chinese military and foreign policy. In October 2023, Minnie Chan went missing in Beijing while attending the Fragrant Hill Forum. At that time, she was investigating rumors about Zhang Youxia and Zhang Shengmin being under investigation.
Thompson mentioned that he and Minnie Chan were good friends who communicated through calls and texts. After Minnie’s disappearance, most of the messages she sent to Thompson were deleted.
A month before Minnie Chan went missing, Thompson had discussed with her whether Zhang Youxia was in trouble. Thompson asked Minnie Chan, “Do you think Zhang Youxia and Zhang Shengmin are in trouble?” Her short answer was “Yes.” This message was the only one that was not deleted in the entire conversation. “I don’t know if she deleted it herself or if the people who kidnapped her controlled her phone,” Thompson said.
Thompson mentioned that he did not know why Minnie Chan was detained. He also expressed his hope that with the news of Zhang Youxia’s investigation being made public, Minnie would be released.