China’s tightly controlled military establishment has been thrown into rare turmoil following allegations against one of its most powerful figures.
General Zhang Youxia, long seen as a trusted ally of President Xi Jinping, is now at the centre of a stunning investigation that has shaken Beijing’s defence circles.
According to reports, the 75-year-old general is accused of leaking sensitive nuclear weapons information to the United States.
The development has raised serious questions about loyalty at the highest level of China’s armed forces.
Meanwhile, the allegations come amid President Xi’s renewed push to purge senior military leadership.
Zhang, who serves as the first-ranked vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, was officially placed under investigation on Saturday, January 24.
Days earlier, he was reportedly detained by military corruption investigators.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Zhang allegedly passed “core technical data” on China’s nuclear weapons to the US.
Moreover, he is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for official promotions, before leaking the classified information to the CIA for personal gain.
These claims, if proven, could represent one of the most serious breaches in China’s military history.
In response, President Xi has reportedly dispatched a special task force to Shenyang in northeast China.
Zhang was previously stationed in the region and is believed to have built strong local support networks there.
However, the task force is said to be staying in civilian hotels rather than military bases, a move seen as deliberate caution.
Chinese state media has framed the case in strong political terms. Reports accused Zhang and fellow PLA General Liu Zhenli of “threatening the Communist Party’s absolute leadership” and “undermining the system of ultimate responsibility,” which rests with President Xi.
Interestingly, Zhang’s background makes the situation even more striking. He comes from a family of communist heroes and has a decades-long connection to Xi’s family dating back to the Chinese Civil War.
Therefore, his alleged actions are being viewed as a deep personal and political betrayal.
The unfolding China military purge reflects Xi’s broader campaign to tighten control over the armed forces.
Furthermore, it highlights growing concerns about corruption, loyalty, and security within the People’s Liberation Army.
While Chinese authorities have not publicly detailed evidence, the investigation continues to draw global attention.
