Party Says Enough, China Expels Top Generals Accused of Corruption

China has expelled two of its highest ranking military officers from the ruling Communist Party following months long investigations into alleged corruption, disloyalty and other serious disciplinary violations, state media reported on Monday (September 21, 2026). The two officers are General Zhang Youxia and General Liu Zhenli. Zhang had served as a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), China's top military command body, and was the senior of the two vice chairmen, placing him second only to President Xi Jinping in the military hierarchy. Liu was a CMC member and chief of staff of its Joint Staff Department. The investigations into both generals were announced in January, with the two later removed from the state Central Military Commission in August. Their expulsion from the Communist Party was approved at a Politburo meeting chaired by Xi Jinping, according to Chinese state media. What Are the Allegations? Chinese authorities accused Zhang and Liu of serious violations of political discipline and Party rules, including alleged disloyalty, corruption, abuse of power, dereliction of duty and the formation of factions. State media also reported allegations involving improper benefits and large sums of money. The cases have now been transferred to military prosecutors for further examination and possible prosecution under Chinese law. The allegations are based primarily on official Chinese announcements, and details independently verifiable outside the Chinese system remain limited. A Major Blow to China’s Military Leadership Zhang removal is particularly significant because of his position at the top of China military hierarchy. He was also a member of the Communist Party's Politburo and had long been regarded as an important figure within the People Liberation Army. The expulsions come amid a broader anti corruption and disciplinary campaign that has increasingly focused on China military leadership. Numerous senior military officials have faced investigations and disciplinary action since Xi Jinping came to power in 2012. The latest cases therefore add another chapter to Beijing continuing effort to enforce Party discipline within the armed forces, while also raising questions about the scale of corruption investigations at the highest levels of China's military leadership.