January 29, 2026, 4:38 p.mJanuary 29, 2026, 4:38 p.m
China has described the investigations against senior army generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli as an “important success” in the fight against corruption. The more decisively the army takes action against corruption, the stronger and more powerful it will become.
Defense Ministry spokesman Jiang Bin said this in Beijing.
The Defense Ministry announced last weekend that it was investigating Zhang and Liu for “serious violations of discipline and the law.” Disciplinary proceedings once again shook the highest levels of the Central Military Commission, which is chaired by state and party leader Xi Jinping. The body commands the People’s Liberation Army.
Due to previous investigations against other military officers, the commission could soon only consist of two of the usual seven members. The investigation against Vice Chairman Zhang came as a surprise. The 75-year-old was one of the few members who still had combat experience from a border conflict with Vietnam that began in 1979. Zhang was also considered Xi’s confidant.
Zhang Youxia (front) and Liu Zhenl (second from left) after their election in March 2023. Image: www.imago-images.de
Consequences for Taiwan?
The vague message left observers speculating about the real reasons. When asked, the Defense Ministry did not confirm a report in the Wall Street Journal that Zhang had revealed secrets about China’s nuclear program to the USA and referred to the official announcements.
Another question was what kind of conflict the high-profile case could have on China against Taiwan, which is claimed by Beijing. Jiang said Beijing strives for peaceful “reunification” but never rules out the use of force.
The year 2027 is repeatedly mentioned as a possible attack because, according to US information, Xi is said to have instructed the army to be able to do so by then. Beijing has not yet confirmed this.
Drew Thompson, former director for China, Taiwan and Mongolia in the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense, wrote in a blog post that without Zhang, the risk of miscalculations increases. In his view, Zhang was able to objectively assess the military capabilities of the United States and Taiwan and explain to Xi what military risks and costs would be involved in an operation to conquer Taiwan. (sda/dpa/fwa)