The official announcement from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) states that Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia and former Chief of the General Staff of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, Liu Zhenli, have been “severely violating discipline and laws” and have been expelled from the CCP and removed from their military positions. The official report accuses Zhang and Liu of engaging in “cliques” and other misconduct. However, the wording used in the official report to describe the crimes of the two individuals is not as severe as in previous military reports. Analysts believe that the weakened characterization by the authorities may indicate resistance against CCP leader Xi Jinping’s crackdown on these individuals.
According to a report by CCTV, the Central Politburo of the CCP convened on September 21st and reviewed and approved two review results and handling suggestions regarding Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli issued by the Central Military Commission.
The official report criticizes Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli for “deviating from the Party’s principles,” “crossing the red lines,” “seriously violating political discipline and rules, forming cliques, and being disloyal and dishonest to the Party.”
The report also accuses Zhang and Liu of using their positions to assist others in job promotions, receiving huge amounts of money improperly, accepting gifts, and failing to discipline their relatives and staff.
It is further stated that Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli are suspected of serious criminal offenses related to their duties, with corruption and dereliction of duty intertwined, involving a particularly large amount of money and having a very serious impact.
The report mentions that, following deliberation by the Central Politburo, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli have been expelled from the Party, their qualifications as delegates to the 20th CCP National Congress have been terminated, and they have been referred to the military procuratorial organ for prosecution review. The decision to expel them from the Party will be officially confirmed at a meeting of the Central Committee.
Furthermore, the report states that the Central Military Commission had previously decided to dismiss Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from their military positions.
In a separate incident on January 24th, Zhang Youxia and his military ally Liu Zhenli were both officially removed from their positions. The military had earlier criticized the two for “seriously undermining the authority of the Chairman of the Military Commission,” damaging the Party’s absolute leadership over the military, and endangering the Party’s rule.
Shen Mingshi, a researcher at the Taiwan Institute of National Defense and Security, told Epoch Times that the official report does not clearly mention the previous military report’s allegations of “seriously undermining the authority of the Chairman of the Military Commission” or “endangering the Party’s rule,” but instead focuses on the corruption issues of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli. It seems that these charges were added in order to bring down Zhang and Liu, and further evidence may be collected, even if they do not admit guilt, likely leading to their conviction during the investigation.
Shen Mingshi stated that Xi Jinping probably intends to ensure that they serve their entire sentence, which may result in a life sentence or a suspended death sentence. Xi Jinping is determined not to let them out of prison again.
China expert Li Linyi stated to Epoch Times that compared to the previous characterizations in the CCP military publications, the official characterization of Zhang and Liu has indeed been significantly softened, likely due to internal discontent within the military caused by Xi Jinping’s crackdown on the two individuals. Xi Jinping is also likely wary of potential backlash.
According to an exclusive report by Epoch Times, informed sources within the system revealed that the formal dismissal of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli has once again shaken the military. Active-duty officers feel anger and frustration, while retired officers show even stronger reactions, some drowning their sorrows in alcohol and others refusing to answer calls from their units, expressing grievances.
China expert Wang He told Epoch Times that Zhang Youxia had been a member of the Central Military Commission for over a decade, a senior military officer and a “princeling” with a strong influence within the military. Xi Jinping’s sudden move to remove him may elicit sympathy from many within the military. While they may not openly oppose Xi, this underlying discontent may continue to spread and eventually lead to eruption.
Regarding the official report criticizing Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli for “deviating from the Party’s principles,” “crossing the red lines,” and “forming cliques,” Shen Mingshi commented that the accusation of forming cliques implies they established factions, possibly associated with the corruption groups led by other generals like Li Shangfu, Wei Fenghuan, and Li Yuchao.
He explained that the acceptance of gifts and money may be related to Zhang Youxia accepting gifts from former subordinates, but whether it involves selling positions for bribes is hard to determine. If the authorities decide to investigate further, significant personnel changes may occur during the upcoming Fifth Plenary Session.
Zhang Youxia is considered a “princeling,” with his father Zhang Zongxun and Xi Jinping’s father, Xi Zhongxun, having been close comrades during wartime. Zhang Youxia and Xi Jinping also share a longstanding friendship. Previously, Zhang Youxia was often associated with Xi Jinping’s “Shaanxi Faction,” and his extended service after the 20th CCP National Congress was viewed as him overseeing the military for Xi.
Independent commentator Du Zheng analyzed the reasons behind Zhang Youxia becoming a target for Xi Jinping: following the 20th CCP National Congress, Zhang Youxia had close interactions with several elder CCP figures interested in politics, to some extent undermining Xi’s authority. Zhang Youxia also clashed with Xi’s confidants in the military, He Weidong and Miao Hua, leading to their downfall. Xi Jinping was concerned that by the time of the 21st CCP National Congress, Zhang Youxia’s supporters might replace him. Eventually, Zhang Youxia fell victim to Xi Jinping’s decisive action.
Previously, independent commentator Cai Shunkun had disclosed that Zhang Youxia had admitted to attempting to pressure Xi Jinping to transfer power, claiming that “rewriting history was just a step away.”
Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were relieved of their positions in the Central Military Commission at the end of August this year, and they were also dismissed from their seats as National People’s Congress deputies. Subsequently, their names were removed from the list of members of the CCP Central Military Commission on various official websites.
The original Central Military Commission, formed in March 2023, had seven members. Li Shangfu and Miao Hua were successively removed from their positions, with He Weidong being stripped of his Vice Chairman position in October of the previous year. All three were subsequently expelled from the Party and their military positions. Zhang Shengmin was promoted to Vice Chairman during the Fourth Plenary Session last year. Currently, the visibly listed members of the Central Military Commission are only Chairman Xi Jinping and Zhang Shengmin.