Zhang Youxia has fallen from grace – he is said to have shared nuclear plans with the USA.Image: www.imago-images.de
Zhang Youxia was considered Xi Jinping’s closest ally in the Chinese military. Now the general is being accused of serious allegations.
January 26, 2026, 08:10January 26, 2026, 08:21
Zhang is said to have shared data on China’s nuclear weapons program – of all things with its geopolitical arch-rival, the USA. That reported that Wall Street Journal citing people who were present at a hearing on the allegations.
But not only: The highest-ranking Chinese military man after Xi Jinping is said to have tried to build a network within the army – to scheme against the party leader? This has not been proven, but it is certainly reason enough for the Chinese ruler to take action against his former confidant and to filter the army in his favor. China’s Defense Ministry confirmed the investigation into Zhang and several commandos close to him over the weekend.
Xi Jinping has long been trying to combat rampant corruption in China’s authorities. The party leadership is taking action against allegedly disloyal or corrupt members of the Chinese apparatus. Eight high-ranking generals were removed from office last fall. Since 2023, more than 50 officers and other military leaders have been fired or at least targeted for investigation.
Xi Jinping launched a comprehensive anti-corruption campaign in the military in 2012.Image: keystone
This has also reached the highest levels of government in the recent past. Former officer Li Shangfu, defense minister until 2023, was removed from office and expelled from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Li has a connection to the renewed escalation surrounding General Zhang. In addition to the allegations already mentioned, he is also accused of having made Li’s appointment possible after paying bribes.
Zhang was one of the few Chinese military officers with combat experience. He took part in a border conflict with Vietnam in 1979. At that time, China took action against the neighboring country, which had previously invaded Cambodia, which was suffering from the reign of terror of the Khmer Rouge.
Zhang is the first general in his position to be removed early since the Chinese Cultural Revolution. He made his last appearance in November 2025 at a meeting with Russian government officials. He has not been seen in public since. (con)