The top general is Zhang Yuxia. file | Image Credit: AP
China’s anti-corruption probe High General Zhang Yuxia And other senior officials will “remove roadblocks” and strengthen the country’s military, state media said on Monday (Feb 2, 2026).
The Defense Ministry said last month it was overseeing the battle plan with Mr Zhang, vice chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), and Liu Zhenli, head of the CMC’s Joint Staff Division.
The pair have been subject to a sweeping drive to root out graft at all levels of the Chinese Communist Party and state. President Xi Jinping came to power a decade ago. The ministry did not say why the investigation into Mr Zhang and Mr Liu was opened.
However, the PLA Daily – the mouthpiece of China’s military – said in a front-page editorial published on Monday (February 2) that they were “corrupt elements”.
It said a “robust investigation and punishment” of Mr Zhang and Mr Liu would remove roadblocks and “squeeze the waters undermining military effectiveness”. Proponents say China’s corruption purge promotes clean governance, while others say it serves as a tool for Mr. Xi to oust political rivals.
Dylan Loh, an associate professor at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, said it was “understatement” and unusual that the PLA Daily editorials wrote about Mr Zhang and Mr Liu more than once.
“The reference to combat effectiveness is an acknowledgment that corruption at the highest levels has affected combat readiness and indicates Mr Xi’s determination to root them out. [corrupt officials] No matter how rough it is,” he said AFP.
‘Unify Actions’
The editorial said all soldiers should “align” their thoughts and actions with the Central Military Commission and key decisions and assignments of Mr. Xi.
This meant “there was some cross-stepping and resistance to Mr Xi’s personal orders and directives,” Loh added. A Pentagon assessment said Mr Xi is eyeing 2027 to seize self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its own.
Beijing has refused to rule out using force to take over the democratic island, but says it hopes for peaceful reunification. Monday’s (Feb 2) editorial reinforces anti-corruption measures as a focus of China’s military, said Lim Tai Wei, a professor at Japan’s Soka University and an East Asia expert.
“It connects the investigations of Mr. Zhang and Mr. Liu as part of efforts to professionalize the military and make it effective in winning wars,” Lim said. AFP.
In October, China announced that it had opened a corruption investigation against nine military officials. As part of those investigations, the Ministry of Defense expelled two top generals from the military: former second-ranking CMC vice president He Weidong and former head of the military’s Political Affairs Department, Miao Hua.
Published – February 02, 2026 10:22 pm IST
