China announced an investigation into two senior military officials over serious discipline violations. The defence ministry named top general Zhang Youxia and official Liu Zhenli. The probe signals a fresh phase in China’s anti-graft drive.
Zhang Youxia is the senior vice chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission. He is also a member of the Communist Party’s elite Politburo. Authorities said both men face suspected violations of discipline and law.
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Liu Zhenli serves as chief of staff of the CMC’s joint staff department. His role includes overseeing military operations and combat planning. Both officials rank below President Xi Jinping, who chairs the commission.
Speculation grew after both officials missed a recent high-level meeting led by Xi. China often uses discipline probes as a euphemism for corruption cases. Xi has called corruption the biggest threat to party rule.
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The investigation follows earlier military purges under Xi’s rule. Last year, China probed nine military officials and expelled two top generals. Former defence ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe were also removed over corruption cases.