What China’s swift ousting of two top military generals means for the PLA
Investigation and in-depth political rectification to bring in new atmosphere and positive spirit, says commentary in military mouthpiece PLA Daily.
Anti-corruption investigations into top general Zhang Youxia and others will remove “obstacles and stumbling blocks” that hinder the development of the People’s Liberation Army’s cause, according to a commentary by the Chinese military’s mouthpiece PLA Daily. Zhang is one of two top generals who China placed under investigation for “serious” disciplinary violations on January 24, 2026. Zhang is the nation’s highest-ranking uniformed officer. He is the first-ranked vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), China’s top military command body headed by President Xi Jinping. Zhang is also a member of the Politburo, the Communist Party’s highest decision-making body. Also being investigated is Liu Zhenli, chief of the CMC’s Joint Staff Department.