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This development marks a significant escalation in the military’s anti-corruption drive, following a major purge of high-ranking People’s Liberation Army (PLA) officers just three months ago. The Ministry of National Defense confirmed the investigation on Saturday, according to TDM.
Zhang Youxia, 75, is a military heavyweight and the son of former general Zhang Zongxun. He served as Commander of the Shenyang Military Region and Minister of the Equipment Development Department before becoming CMC Vice Chairman in 2017.
Liu Zhenli, 61, assumed the critical role of Chief of the Joint Staff Department in 2023.
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Both generals last appeared publicly on December 22, 2025, but were notably absent from a high-level leadership seminar last week.
The investigations follow a similar crackdown in October 2025, when nine generals -including former CMC Vice Chairman He Weidong – were probed ahead of the 20th Central Committee’s Fourth Plenary Session.
