China expels two top generals from Communist Party over corruption

September 21, 2026 at 09:56 PM2 min

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China expelled two top military generals from the Communist Party on suspicion of corruption and disloyalty, state-run Xinhua reported Monday. Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were removed from the military in late August after investigations announced in January. The expulsions come days before President Xi Jinping is set to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington.

Key Facts

Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were expelled from the Chinese Communist Party for serious violations of political discipline, forming cliques, and disloyalty, according to Xinhua.
Investigations into the two generals were announced in January, and they were removed from the military in late August.
Zhang Youxia was second-in-command of the Central Military Commission and long seen as Xi Jinping's closest military ally.
Liu Zhenli was a Central Military Commission member and chief of staff of its Joint Staff Department.
The expulsions leave only two active members on the formerly seven-member Central Military Commission, including Xi Jinping as chairman.

The Expulsions

China expelled two top military generals from the Communist Party on suspicion of corruption and disloyalty, state-run Xinhua reported Monday. Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli "seriously violated political discipline and political rules, formed cliques and factions, and were disloyal and dishonest to the party," Xinhua said, citing official documents. No details of the alleged crimes were provided. Investigations into the pair were announced in January, and they were removed from the military in late August.

Anti-Corruption Campaign

The expulsions are part of President Xi Jinping's sweeping anti-corruption crackdown, which has purged thousands of officials and investigated millions within the Chinese bureaucracy. In June 2024, Defence Minister Li Shangfu and his predecessor were expelled from the party as part of the crackdown. More than a year later, China dismissed the second-highest-ranking general and eight other senior officials from the military and party. The military has become an increasing target of the anti-corruption purges, leaving two active members on the formerly seven-member Central Military Commission.

Political Timing

The Defence Ministry announcement was made days before Xi Jinping is set to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington. It also comes weeks before a key Communist Party assembly on internal governance.