Purges in the Chinese army. Number 2 in the hierarchy, suspected of corruption

The Chinese Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday that it had initiated an investigation against General Zhang Youxia. He is the vice-chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission, the last general from the original composition of this body and No. 2 in the army hierarchy after Xi Jinping. The military man is suspected of corruption.

“Zhang Youxia is suspected of serious violations of discipline and law,” says the ministry's official statement. Along with him, General Liu Zhenli, the Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was placed under investigation, effectively removing both commanders from their positions. In Chinese political nomenclature, the phrase “violation of discipline” is a euphemism meaning an accusation of receiving financial benefits.

75-year-old General Zhang was a veteran of the ground forces and was previously considered a close ally of China's leader Xi Jinping. His fall was a political earthquake – in the state military commission he was the last member of the top management from the previous round to remain in office. The remaining key commanders from the original squad had already been removed as part of the unprecedented purges that have been shaking the Chinese army for several months.

Analysts emphasize that these actions are aimed at the absolute subordination of the armed forces to Xi, who personally heads the commission and has been conducting a constant “fight against tigers and flies” campaign since 2012. It has already covered over 200,000. officials, including two former defense ministers and another vice president, General He Weidong, ousted last October. The purges continue despite the tense international situation and recent military talks held by the arrested general in Moscow.

Xi called corruption the “biggest threat” to the CCP and described the fight as “serious and complex.” Supporters of the campaign point out that it promotes transparent and honest governance, while critics see it as a tool to eliminate political rivals.

From Beijing Krzysztof Pawliszak (PAP)

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