On January 24, 2026, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) suddenly announced that Zhang Youxia, the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Liu Zhenli, the Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, two high-ranking military officials, are suspected of serious violations of discipline and law, and have been placed under investigation. This news has sparked wide concern among political observers in China, with many expressing surprise.
Overseas networks have since presented various interpretations and revelations, some claiming that Zhang Youxia’s arrest is related to a “premeditated coup,” with Xi Jinping taking preemptive action.
Former media personality Zeng Jieming told Epoch Times that the sudden announcement of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli’s downfall by the CCP is unexpected and indicates an abnormally tense situation among the top leadership.
He believes that Xi Jinping’s paranoid mentality is highly similar to Mao Zedong’s. In his view, Zhang Youxia failed to act when abnormalities in Xi Jinping’s health were rumored in 2024, missing an opportunity. This may be related to some senior party elders (Hu Jintao) still trying to “protect the party” and opposing “disrupting the party’s procedures,” thus giving Xi an opportunity to counterattack and purge.
On the overseas internet, some political influencers have been speculating that a political standoff within the CCP is imminent.
A political blogger with 1.29 million followers, “Bajiong,” mentioned that Zhang Youxia was betrayed in his coup attempt – his plans were leaked, and he believed he was in control but was caught off guard. This prompted Xi Jinping to act first.
Furthermore, he stated that at the end of December last year, during the promotion ceremony for the new generals, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were preparing to make a move.
Epoch Times was unable to independently verify this revelation.
“Bajiong” also pointed out the disappearance of Deputy Chairman of the Military Commission Zhang Shengmin recently.
It is noteworthy that Deputy Chairman Zhang Shengmin has also not been seen in public recently. On January 23, during a closing ceremony of a provincial-level cadres study session organized by the CCP, Zhang Youxia, Liu Zhenli, and Zhang Shengmin were all absent, leading to further speculation.
These three individuals were last seen in public in December of last year. According to reports from CCP state media, on December 22, 2025, a ceremony to promote senior officers was held at the Bayi Building in Beijing. Xi Jinping, the Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the promotion ceremony. Xi Jinping presented certificates to the newly promoted senior officers of the Eastern Theater Command Commander Yang Zhibin and the Central Theater Command Commander Han Shengyan. Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia read the order promoting the officers signed by Xi Jinping. Deputy Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Shengmin presided over the promotion ceremony. Commission members including Liu Zhenli also attended the ceremony.
Various versions of events have been circulating in the public eye recently. One version claims that Zhang Youxia and his entire family have been arrested.
“Bajiong” mentioned that when Deputy Chairman He Lidong was removed from office last year, he disappeared after the Two Sessions in March 2025, and it was only in October 2025 that his official investigation for corruption was announced. During those months, there was no official announcement of their investigation. If Zhang Youxia follows a similar pattern to He Lidong, with simple corruption issues, he wouldn’t have been officially investigated and announced by the CCP this quickly.
“Bajiong” believes that the simultaneous downfall of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli is extremely serious. “Besides a coup, what could be more serious than this? So serious that the Xi Jinping Central must officially announce it? The purpose is to show Zhang Youxia’s allies and the wavering factions, even to the civil officials who may lean towards Zhang Youxia: none of you can run away. Whether you are cooperating, about to cooperate, or wavering, none of you can run.”
He noted that clues can be seen from official photos. In 2024, Zhang Youxia showed deep respect to Xi Jinping. But in 2025, when pictured with Xi Jinping, his demeanor changed, no longer showing the same respect.
Analysts have unanimously focused on the situation in the Taiwan Strait. Zeng Jieming believes that Xi Jinping’s elimination of potential political enemies could accelerate the military reunification of Taiwan.
“Bajiong” suggests that with the elimination of anti-Xi factions like Zhang Youxia, a civil war within China is imminent, with Xi’s ultimate goal being the military reunification of Taiwan.
Taiwan’s “Liberty Times” reported that the downfall of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli will create a short-term vacuum in leadership within the CCP’s military, leading to internal struggles for power and stability. The CCP will be preoccupied with power struggles and internal stability, possibly diverting attention from launching a large-scale war against Taiwan in the immediate future. However, in the long term, once experienced military leaders are purged, leaving only those who unquestioningly follow Xi Jinping’s orders, if Xi Jinping orders military actions, there may be no one left to offer dissent from a military professional perspective, posing an even more unpredictable risk for Taiwan.
Zeng Jieming pointed out that the power struggles in Zhongnanhai do not alleviate the suffering of the common people or change China in any meaningful way. The CCP’s organ harvesting, rampant killings, and heinous crimes are astronomically evil. Regardless of who comes to power, as long as they are deeply entwined with the CCP, they will maintain this wicked system of murder. Only by overthrowing the CCP can China truly change.