China Probes Senior Military General Over Alleged Leaks and Corruption

China, Jan 26 : China has launched an investigation into one of its most senior military figures, a move that has sent shockwaves through Beijing’s political and defence establishment.

General Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), is under probe for what Chinese authorities described as “serious violations of discipline and law.” Zhang is the highest-ranking uniformed officer in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and has been a central figure in China’s military leadership for decades.

The investigation was first disclosed by The Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with a closed-door briefing held for senior officers. China’s Ministry of National Defence later confirmed that a probe was underway, without detailing specific charges.

According to the Journal, the internal briefing accused Zhang of leaking sensitive technical information related to China’s nuclear weapons programme to the United States. Additional allegations included accepting bribes in exchange for military promotions, forming political factions and abusing authority within the CMC, as well as overseeing irregularities in defence procurement.

Chinese authorities have not publicly substantiated claims involving nuclear-related disclosures.

Responding to the report, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington said the investigation reflected the Communist Party’s “full-coverage, zero-tolerance” stance on corruption.

Zhang, 75, has long been regarded as a close associate of President Xi Jinping, making the case one of the most significant actions taken against a serving PLA general in recent years.

Following the report, unverified claims circulated online suggesting internal power struggles, including rumours of an attempted coup, detentions of senior officers and unusual troop movements. None of these assertions has been confirmed by either Chinese officials or Western intelligence agencies.

Neil Thomas, a Fellow on Chinese Politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis, expressed scepticism about the more sensational allegations. He questioned whether Zhang would have had access to, or the ability to transfer, nuclear weapons data given the stringent controls governing China’s nuclear programme.

Thomas noted that corruption-related charges, particularly those linked to promotions, align more closely with past PLA investigations. He also cautioned that internal briefings in China often reflect political narratives rather than established findings.

The Journal connected Zhang’s case to a wider purge within China’s military procurement system, following the earlier removal and expulsion of former defence minister Li Shangfu from the Communist Party. Officers promoted during Zhang’s tenure are reportedly being examined, with mobile phones seized from individuals linked to the inquiry.

Since 2023, more than 50 senior military officers and defence industry executives have reportedly been dismissed or investigated, underscoring the scale of President Xi’s campaign to restructure and tighten control over the armed forces.

For India, the development carries strategic significance. China remains New Delhi’s foremost security challenge, from tensions along the Line of Actual Control to competition in the Indo-Pacific. Any instability or recalibration within the PLA leadership could have implications extending far beyond China’s borders.