China Purges Top General: Nuclear Secrets or Power Play?

• China's highest-ranking military general, Zhang Youxia, a close ally of Xi Jinping, is under investigation for "suspected serious violations of discipline and law," implying corruption.
• This purge, also involving Liu Zhenli, is considered the most significant in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) since the post-Mao era, akin to arresting the US Joint Chiefs of Staff chair.
• Zhang Youxia, 75, was the senior vice chair of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and played a key role in Xi's military reforms, having served with distinction in the 1979 Vietnam border war.
• Allegations against Zhang include leaking nuclear weapons program data to the US, accepting bribes for promotions, and forming political cliques to undermine party unity.
• Some analysts suggest the investigation is less about corruption or leaks and more about a power struggle, with Xi Jinping consolidating control and quashing rival factions within the military.

Why It Matters: China's purge of its top general, Zhang Youxia, signals a major power consolidation by Xi Jinping amidst corruption allegations.