China Probes Top General for Alleged Nuclear Secrets Leak to US, Triggers Military Purge

• China is investigating Gen. Zhang Youxia, its highest-ranking military official below President Xi Jinping, for alleged serious violations of discipline and law.
• The most serious allegation against Zhang is that he leaked core technical data on China’s nuclear weapons to the United States.
• The investigation has led to a significant shake-up of the Central Military Commission, with only one of its six members remaining active.
• This purge is considered one of the biggest in the history of the People’s Republic, marking Xi Jinping's most aggressive crackdown on corruption and disloyalty in the armed forces.
• The incident is linked to former defence minister Li Shangfu's corruption case and could impact China's military readiness and approach to Taiwan in the short term.

Why It Matters: China is undergoing its largest military purge under Xi Jinping, investigating a top general for allegedly leaking nuclear secrets to the US.