CHINA EXPELS TWO SENIOR GENERALS FROM COMMUNIST PARTY OVER CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS

China has expelled two senior military officers, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, from the ruling Communist Party following investigations into alleged serious violations of discipline and the law. The decision was announced on Monday after months of investigations into the two generals, who previously occupied influential positions within China’s military leadership. Zhang was the more senior of the two vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission, the body responsible for the country’s armed forces, while Liu was a member of the commission and served as chief of its Joint Staff Department.

The Chinese Defence Ministry announced in January that both officers were being investigated over what it described as suspected serious violations of discipline and law, a phrase frequently used by Chinese authorities in corruption-related cases. The latest findings accused the two generals of engaging in several forms of misconduct, including accepting large sums of money, using their positions to assist others with promotions and failing to uphold their responsibilities. Chinese state media reported that investigators found the alleged offences involved exceptionally large sums of money and included political and economic misconduct.

According to the announcement, Zhang and Liu were also accused of forming factions, violating political and organisational rules and being disloyal to the Communist Party. Authorities said their alleged financial misconduct was linked with other violations, including abuse of office and failure to properly carry out their responsibilities. The cases have now been transferred to the military’s legal authorities for further review and possible prosecution, while the expulsion from the Communist Party remains subject to formal ratification by the party’s Central Committee.

Zhang’s removal has attracted particular attention because of his position and long-standing influence within China’s military establishment. He had served as the senior vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and was also a member of the Communist Party’s Politburo. Liu, meanwhile, had been one of the key officers involved in military planning and operations. Both men were removed from their positions on the state Central Military Commission last month as investigations into their conduct continued.

The action against the two generals forms part of President Xi Jinping’s long-running campaign against corruption within the Chinese military and the wider Communist Party. The latest decision further extends the series of disciplinary measures against senior military figures in recent years. Chinese authorities said the punishment demonstrates that corruption will not be tolerated within the armed forces, while the cases are expected to proceed through the military justice system following the latest party decision.