TOPIC

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Liu Zhenli

The latest news on Chinese General Liu Zhenli, including political stories and updates.

Born

Aug 1964

Industry

Politics, Military

Job Title

Politician

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth accompanied the president on his state visit to China last week. Photo: dpa

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Exclusive | Will US defence strategy architect Colby pave the way for Hegseth’s China visit?

Sources say the Pentagon’s undersecretary for policy could arrive in Beijing ‘within weeks’ to finalise arrangements for defence chief’s trip.

13 minutes agovideocam

Mainland China

Editorial | Suspended sentences reaffirm that no one is immune from China’s anti-graft drive

10 May 2026 - 6:45AM

Corruption in China

Fate of China’s ex-defence heads shows party won’t allow disloyalty: state media

9 May 2026 - 9:27AMvideocam

US-China relations

US says mainland China has no plans to attack Taiwan in 2027

Beijing seeks to control the island without the use of force, the US intelligence community confirms in its annual report on global threats.

20 Mar 2026 - 3:12AMvideocam

The People’s Liberation Army conducts military drills near Pingtan island, in eastern China’s Fujian province, the closest point to Taiwan, on December 30, 2025. Photo: AFP

China's military weapons

J-20 fighter jet designer scrubbed from Chinese Academy of Sciences website

Yang Wei has not appeared in public for more than a year, and it comes amid an anti-corruption campaign in the defence sector.

19 Mar 2026 - 8:33AMvideocam

Science

Top Chinese nuclear, radar and missile experts vanish from engineering body site

Former CAE vice-president Zhao Xiangeng is among a number of academicians no longer profiled on the body’s website.

15 Mar 2026 - 8:56PMvideocam

China’s Communist Party

Xi Jinping’s zero-fail mission for China’s military: total loyalty, no corruption

President underlines his strict ideological line to the PLA’s diminished delegation to the NPC.

7 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

The PLA’s delegation to the NPC has shrunk from 281 members in 2023 to 243 this year. Photo: Reuters

Corruption in China

China’s war on corruption – is this just the end of the beginning?

More ‘tigers’ are being culled than ever before in a campaign that could be becoming the new normal.

4 Mar 2026 - 6:05AMvideocam

China’s military

After Zhang Youxia’s downfall, PLA told to be more mindful of spending

State media also spotlights deep flaws in PLA’s readiness that have surfaced during country’s widening anti-corruption drive.

13 Feb 2026 - 12:40PMvideocam

China’s Communist Party

What is China’s Central Military Commission and how does it function?

The downfall of two more members of the top command body has left just Xi Jinping and one other member active.

13 Feb 2026 - 3:12PMvideocam

Zhang Shengmin is the last uniformed general remaining on the commission. Photo: Handout

China’s Communist Party

China’s military command tightens discipline at the top in generals’ wake

Revised rules are meant to close loopholes, PLA mouthpiece says, two weeks after Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli’s downfall.

7 Feb 2026 - 8:48PMvideocam

China has tightened rules on party discipline within the military. Photo: Xinhua

China’s military drills

China’s military cracks down on training ‘fakery’ after Zhang Youxia’s ousting

PLA plans to crack down on ‘fakery that undermines combat capability’, soon after top generals placed under corruption investigation.

6 Feb 2026 - 8:49PMvideocam

Corruption in China

China expels defence officials from legislature amid corruption crackdown

Three senior executives removed from National People’s Congress without explanation could face disciplinary action or criminal charges.

5 Feb 2026 - 2:10AMvideocam

Corruption in China

What does the fall of PLA top brass Zhang Youxia say about Beijing’s Taiwan plans?

Investigations into China’s top military commanders have raised questions about the PLA’s battle readiness.

4 Feb 2026 - 6:14AMvideocam

Corruption in China

Zhang Youxia probe to end ‘watered-down’ military capability: PLA Daily

Investigation and in-depth political rectification to bring in new atmosphere and positive spirit, commentary in official military paper says.

2 Feb 2026 - 8:03PMvideocam

The official PLA Daily has urged China’s armed forces to “resolutely carry on the fight against corruption through to the end”. Photo: Xinhua

Corruption in China

China’s military redoubles corruption fight in wake of Zhang Youxia’s downfall

PLA mouthpiece warns troops not to be blindly optimistic or totally pessimistic about winning the war against graft.

31 Jan 2026 - 8:56PMvideocam

South China Sea

China says Philippines is stoking tensions with Scarborough Shoal drill

Manila reportedly issued a notice warning of military exercises across a wide area of the South China Sea until the end of March.

30 Jan 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign

Former Inner Mongolia party chief, veterans minister investigated for corruption

Sun Shaocheng’s downfall is announced days after investigations into China’s top-ranking general Zhang Youxia.

30 Jan 2026 - 2:53PMvideocam

Sun Shaocheng, 65, is facing a disciplinary review and supervisory investigation by China’s top anti-corruption body the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Photo: Handout

China’s Communist Party

China’s top general ousted in corruption investigation

The seven-seat Central Military Commission now only has two active members after the downfall of vice-chairman Zhang Youxia and fellow general Liu Zhenli.

26 Jan 2026 - 5:18PM

SCMP Highlights

Thailand’s Chinese weapons haul, Blackpink in Hong Kong: 5 weekend reads

From a rapid rise in solo living to Blackpink shows with a Hong Kong flair, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

26 Jan 2026 - 2:18PM

China’s Communist Party

Why China’s swift ousting of Zhang Youxia is a warning from Xi on party purity

Seemingly risky move to oust two generals ahead of Communist Party congress and PLA centenary sends a message about anti-corruption drive.

26 Jan 2026 - 4:19PMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, has emphasised the need for “self-revolution” to fight corruption and ensure healthy governance. Photo: Xinhua

Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign

Newcomers in charge at PLA’s corruption-hit command overseeing Taiwan

State media shows Yang Zhibin and Zhang Jichun at official event, suggesting they are heading the Eastern Theatre Command.

17 Dec 2025 - 6:48PMvideocam

PLA Air Force Lieutenant General Yang Zhibin, pictured in uniform, is shown at the annual commemoration of the Nanking massacre on Saturday. Photo: CCTV

Xinjiang

China’s ethnic affairs chief hails Xinjiang policies in Xi’s ‘new era’

Speech in Urumqi comes at the end of the first trip by a Chinese president to the autonomous region for its anniversary.

26 Sep 2025 - 2:16AMvideocam

China-Australia relations

China and Australia ready for ‘more productive’ ties, Beijing’s ambassador says

Xiao Qian tells trade expo in Melbourne that the two nations can ‘fully complement each other’s strengths’ when boosting economic ties.

14 Aug 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

China-India relations

China is ready to help ease India-Pakistan tensions but has a fine line to walk

Analysts said Beijing would be keen to avoid a full-blown confrontation on its doorstep but its scope may be limited.

30 Apr 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

An attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir has led to fears of conflict with neighbouring Pakistan. Photo: Reuters

Two Sessions 2024

Chinese general calls for crackdown on ‘fake combat capabilities’ in military

He Weidong’s message seen to be related to weapons procurement and problems with training.

11 Mar 2024 - 5:47PMvideocam

107

General He Weidong, China’s No 3 military official, took aim at “fake combat capabilities”. Photo: CCTV

US-China relations

Mixed signals remain in US-China relations even after Xi-Biden meeting

In this week’s issue of the Global Impact newsletter, we look to the future of the US-China relationship following the meeting between presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden in November.

14 Feb 2024 - 2:45PMvideocam

China’s military

PLA watches as US warship sails through Taiwan Strait in ‘provocative’ move

Destroyer’s transit shows United States’ commitment to upholding freedom of navigation, Seventh Fleet commander says, while People’s Liberation Army spokesman accuses US military of ‘maliciously’ undermining peace and stability in the region.

25 Jan 2024 - 3:53PMvideocam

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Liu Zhenli

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Will US defence strategy architect Colby pave the way for Hegseth’s China visit?

Sources say the Pentagon’s undersecretary for policy could arrive in Beijing ‘within weeks’ to finalise arrangements for defence chief’s trip.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Suspended sentences reaffirm that no one is immune from China’s anti-graft drive

Fate of China’s ex-defence heads shows party won’t allow disloyalty: state media

US says mainland China has no plans to attack Taiwan in 2027

Beijing seeks to control the island without the use of force, the US intelligence community confirms in its annual report on global threats.

J-20 fighter jet designer scrubbed from Chinese Academy of Sciences website

Yang Wei has not appeared in public for more than a year, and it comes amid an anti-corruption campaign in the defence sector.

Top Chinese nuclear, radar and missile experts vanish from engineering body site

Former CAE vice-president Zhao Xiangeng is among a number of academicians no longer profiled on the body’s website.

Xi Jinping’s zero-fail mission for China’s military: total loyalty, no corruption

President underlines his strict ideological line to the PLA’s diminished delegation to the NPC.

China’s war on corruption – is this just the end of the beginning?

More ‘tigers’ are being culled than ever before in a campaign that could be becoming the new normal.

After Zhang Youxia’s downfall, PLA told to be more mindful of spending

State media also spotlights deep flaws in PLA’s readiness that have surfaced during country’s widening anti-corruption drive.

What is China’s Central Military Commission and how does it function?

The downfall of two more members of the top command body has left just Xi Jinping and one other member active.

China’s military command tightens discipline at the top in generals’ wake

Revised rules are meant to close loopholes, PLA mouthpiece says, two weeks after Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli’s downfall.

China’s military cracks down on training ‘fakery’ after Zhang Youxia’s ousting

PLA plans to crack down on ‘fakery that undermines combat capability’, soon after top generals placed under corruption investigation.

China expels defence officials from legislature amid corruption crackdown

Three senior executives removed from National People’s Congress without explanation could face disciplinary action or criminal charges.

What does the fall of PLA top brass Zhang Youxia say about Beijing’s Taiwan plans?

Investigations into China’s top military commanders have raised questions about the PLA’s battle readiness.

Zhang Youxia probe to end ‘watered-down’ military capability: PLA Daily

Investigation and in-depth political rectification to bring in new atmosphere and positive spirit, commentary in official military paper says.

China’s military redoubles corruption fight in wake of Zhang Youxia’s downfall

PLA mouthpiece warns troops not to be blindly optimistic or totally pessimistic about winning the war against graft.

China says Philippines is stoking tensions with Scarborough Shoal drill

Manila reportedly issued a notice warning of military exercises across a wide area of the South China Sea until the end of March.

Former Inner Mongolia party chief, veterans minister investigated for corruption

Sun Shaocheng’s downfall is announced days after investigations into China’s top-ranking general Zhang Youxia.

China’s top general ousted in corruption investigation

The seven-seat Central Military Commission now only has two active members after the downfall of vice-chairman Zhang Youxia and fellow general Liu Zhenli.

Thailand’s Chinese weapons haul, Blackpink in Hong Kong: 5 weekend reads

From a rapid rise in solo living to Blackpink shows with a Hong Kong flair, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Why China’s swift ousting of Zhang Youxia is a warning from Xi on party purity

Seemingly risky move to oust two generals ahead of Communist Party congress and PLA centenary sends a message about anti-corruption drive.

Newcomers in charge at PLA’s corruption-hit command overseeing Taiwan

State media shows Yang Zhibin and Zhang Jichun at official event, suggesting they are heading the Eastern Theatre Command.

China’s ethnic affairs chief hails Xinjiang policies in Xi’s ‘new era’

Speech in Urumqi comes at the end of the first trip by a Chinese president to the autonomous region for its anniversary.

China and Australia ready for ‘more productive’ ties, Beijing’s ambassador says

Xiao Qian tells trade expo in Melbourne that the two nations can ‘fully complement each other’s strengths’ when boosting economic ties.

China is ready to help ease India-Pakistan tensions but has a fine line to walk

Analysts said Beijing would be keen to avoid a full-blown confrontation on its doorstep but its scope may be limited.

Chinese general calls for crackdown on ‘fake combat capabilities’ in military

He Weidong’s message seen to be related to weapons procurement and problems with training.

Mixed signals remain in US-China relations even after Xi-Biden meeting

In this week’s issue of the Global Impact newsletter, we look to the future of the US-China relationship following the meeting between presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden in November.

PLA watches as US warship sails through Taiwan Strait in ‘provocative’ move

Destroyer’s transit shows United States’ commitment to upholding freedom of navigation, Seventh Fleet commander says, while People’s Liberation Army spokesman accuses US military of ‘maliciously’ undermining peace and stability in the region.

Exclusive | Will US defence strategy architect Colby pave the way for Hegseth’s China visit?

Editorial | Suspended sentences reaffirm that no one is immune from China’s anti-graft drive