【Epoch Times Report, January 26, 2026】After the announcement of the investigation into Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Zhang Youxia, and the Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, Liu Zhenli, continuous revelations of the internal struggle within the CCP have emerged. Independent commentator Cai Shenkun, who leaked the news prior to the official announcement of Zhang Youxia’s downfall, revealed that more than a month before Zhang’s removal, he had a direct confrontation and confrontation with Xi Jinping.
Cai Shenkun disclosed on a self-media program on January 26 that over a month before, Zhang Youxia had a direct clash with Xi Jinping. At that time, Zhang did not spare Xi Jinping and directly questioned him, “We can’t figure out where you want to take this country now, we have been through so much turmoil for so many years, the military has been greatly damaged, and morale has been dispersed, do you have no shame?”
It is said that Zhang Youxia directly pointed out that under Xi’s leadership, the image of the military has been severely tarnished, soldiers are not receiving social respect, and they have lost their basic dignity. This self-destruction is unprecedented since the founding of the CCP and the army. In the heated argument, Zhang Youxia went as far as to issue a strong warning: “If I don’t let you go today, does that count as a coup?”
Cai Shenkun remarked that this news sounds terrifying, and if true, it indicates that the rift between Zhang Youxia and Xi Jinping has escalated to a point of no return. It remains to be seen who will seize control, which would help understand why Xi Jinping was in such a rush to take down Zhang Youxia and those around him.
Currently, Epoch Times is unable to verify the authenticity of these reports.
Scholar Wu Zuolai, in the program “Leisurely Talk on Slow Mountains,” stated that the split between Zhang and Xi Jinping is real, and Xi Jinping might resort to pre-emptive action.
Wu Zuolai explained that the conflict between Zhang Youxia and Xi Jinping is multi-dimensional. Firstly, Zhang Youxia is a true professional military officer and instinctively resists Xi Jinping’s notion that “soldiers are meant for fighting.” Secondly, although there are connections between Xi and Zhang’s families, once a sovereign-subject relationship is established, Zhang Youxia would inherently rebuff it. Xi is trying to mold himself in the image of Mao Zedong, demanding absolute reverence, which Zhang Youxia cannot genuinely accept. Thirdly, the breakdown of military order under Xi, rapid promotion of Xi’s confidants, and the intrusion of Peng Liyuan into military affairs have gradually led to the militarization of the army. A Cultural Revolution-style propaganda resurgence has occurred, evident from military publications advocating for democracy and opposing authoritarianism, albeit with the shadow of Zhang Youxia behind these movements.
During the closing of the National People’s Congress last March, a scene caught the attention of many. As Xi Jinping left the venue, he briefly interacted with two vice chairs of the CPPCC National Committee, former Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and former Macau Chief Executive Ho Hau-wah. The footage showed that when Xi Jinping turned to leave, Vice Chairman of the Military Commission He Waidong and others all turned to greet him, except for Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia, who turned his back to Xi Jinping, cast a cold glance before turning away and appearing occupied with something in his hands.
Australian independent media figure Jiang Wangzheng previously disclosed to Epoch Times that Zhang Youxia being summoned for questioning implied that even though Zhang and Xi were initially in a mutually beneficial relationship, the conflict arose because Xi wanted Zhang to step down, a move Zhang was against.
After the sudden announcement of the downfall of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli on the afternoon of the 24th, the CCP Military News – released a strongly-worded editorial that evening, criticizing the two for “seriously trampling the Military Commission Chairman’s responsibility system,” “seriously contributing to the undermining of the Party’s absolute leadership over the army, jeopardizing the Party’s governance foundation hanging over political and corruption issues,” “seriously affecting the image and credibility of the Military Commission’s leadership team,” “causing severe damage to the political construction, political ecology, and combat readiness of the military,” and “creating extremely negative influence,” among other accusations.
Commentator Li Linyi suggested that the strong language used in the military newspaper’s editorial likely corroborates the rumors of an attempted coup by Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli.
Chinese affairs expert Heng He analyzed in New Tang Dynasty’s program, stating that this instance should be viewed as Xi Jinping’s “counterattack.” Previously, he might have temporarily lost power, which could be seen as a “quasi-coup.”
Over the past decade, whenever cases involving high-ranking military officials at the level of Vice Chairman of the Military Commission have emerged, the official stance consistently highlights the “disruption of the Military Commission Chairman’s responsibility system.”
In October last year, after Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission He Waidong and former member of the Central Military Commission and former director of the Political Work Department Miao Hua were expelled from the Party the following day, the CCP Military News editorial criticized He Waidong, Miao Hua, and others for “seriously undermining the Party’s command of the gun principle and the Military Commission Chairman’s responsibility system.”
On December 22, 2016, the military newspaper printed a commentary article on the front page and criticized the former Vice Chairmen of the Military Commission, Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, for “seriously undermining the Military Commission Chairman’s responsibility system.”
Honorary Professor Ding Shufan from the East Asia Institute of Taiwan Political University, in an interview with Lianhe Zaobao, pointed out that compared to previous instances, the characterization of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli “trampling” on the Military Commission Chairman’s responsibility system appears more severe, indicating a sense of the military not following Party leadership.