Zhang Youxia (l.76), erstwhile Vice-President of the Central Military Commission, and Liu Zhenli (l.62), erstwhile Head of the Joint Staff Department of that commission, were expelled from the Communist organization of China on 21 September and from the People's Liberation Army of China. The authoritative announcement states that the cases of both generals were handed over to the military prosecutor to analyse suspicions of serious crimes related to the functions performed and to press charges.
The decision on the organization punishment was adopted after consideration of the reports of the Central Military Commission by the KC KPC Political Office. The communication lists disciplinary, political and corruption charges, but does not state the amounts, details of the circumstantial acts and time limits for prosecution proceedings.
From January to September Decision
Proceedings against both troops were announced on January 24. Zhang was then a associate of the KC KPCh Politburo and vice-president of the Central Military Commission, and Liu was a associate of the committee and head of its Joint Staff Department. The authorities then simply stated that they were suspected of serious violations of discipline and rights.
On 28 August, the Standing Committee of the General Assembly of People's Representatives dismissed Zhang from the post of Vice-President of the State Central Military Commission and Liu from the position of a associate of that committee. This was a phase concerning their functions in the state body. However, the decision of 21 September concerns organization status, military service and further investigation of suspected crimes.
The earlier phase of the case and changes in command are described in the article ‘Cleans in the Chinese army and the drone revolution. Why does Xi Jinping remove the ‘old guard’?“. The September communication marks the transition from disciplinary investigation to decisions on sanctions and the transfer of material to prosecutors.
Which is alleged by both generals: an authoritative message
According to the Communication, the investigation established that Zhang and Liu had seriously breached the political discipline and political principles of the KPC, “created cliques and factions” and were disloyal and dishonest to the party. He besides accuses them of violating organizational discipline: utilizing positions to aid others advance and accept crucial amounts in return.
The paper besides mentions accepting gifts and money in violation of regulations, failing to fulfil the work for intra-party supervision and negligence in managing coworkers, including relatives of both erstwhile military members. The authorities describe the substance as a combination of political and economical problems, corruption and negligence. According to the Communication, the amounts covered by the case are ‘particularly large’.
The phrase “clips and fractions” is part of the disciplinary language of the KPCH. The Communication does not describe the circumstantial actions that the authorities have included in this category. Nor does he talk about trying to flip, organizing opposition against Xi Jinping, or about a separate activity against organization leadership. It combines political allegations with a description of support for promotions and acceptance of money. On the basis of the paper available, it can so be concluded that both categories appear in the same case.
Three parallel procedures
In the Chinese legal system, a military substance can take place on respective levels. In this case, the first concerns the lot. The Political Bureau adopted the decision to expel both of the NAPs and to end their mandates of delegates for the XX legislature of the NAPs. The communication states that expulsion from the organization must be approved by the Central Committee plenary meeting.
The second plane concerns the army. The Central Military Commission had already decided to expel Zhang and Liu from the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
The 3rd concerns criminal liability. The material relating to alleged crimes was transferred to a military prosecutor who is to analyse them legally and decide on further procedural actions.
Expulsion from the organization and from the army is simply a disciplinary decision of the party-military authorities. The transfer of the case to the D.A. means that the investigative body has received material concerning the suspected crime. The authoritative announcement does not yet study the indictment.
The organization procedure is simply a constant component of the Chinese anti-corruption campaign, the mechanisms of which we presented in the material ‘Tigers, flies and interior demons: How China Fights Corruption“. It may be accompanied by separate proceedings conducted by military disciplinary and prosecutorial bodies in the cases of those serving in the army.
Plenum in October and follow-up
On the same day, the Political Bureau announced that the 5th Plenum of the 20th Central Committee of the PSC would be held in Beijing from 26 to 29 October. It is precisely in the plenary session of the KC that the punishment for expulsion of both generals from the organization is to be approved.
The furthest publically confirmed step presently concerns the military prosecutor's office. She's the 1 who's expected to consider the material that's been transferred and decide whether or not to mention the case to court. The decision of 21 September closes the party-military phase of the proceedings against Zhang and Liu, with the punishment of expulsion from the KPC awaiting Plenum approval. After the expulsion of both erstwhile generals from the ranks of the parties is approved, a criminal case awaits.
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Sources
- Xinhua, ‘Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli expelled from KPCh and from the army due to serious violations of discipline and law’, 21 September 2026: https://www.news.cn/politics/20260921/ed84cef8e5ad411e9ebf80c5f43e375e/c.html
- China Military Online / 81.cn, an expulsion announcement for Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, 21 September 2026: http://www.81.cn/yw_208727/16488071.html
- Central Commission for Disciplinary Inspection and State Supervisory Commission, expulsion notice, 21 September 2026: https://www.ccdi.gov.cn/yaowenn/202609/t20260921_513746.html
- Xinhua / Ministry of Defence of the PRC, announcement to initiate proceedings against Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, 24 January 2026: https://www.news.cn/legal/20260124/33406074879940878fd3102178790920/c.html
- Xinhua, decision of the OZPL Standing Committee to dismiss both generals from the posts of the State Central Military Commission, 28 August 2026: https://www.news.cn/politics/20260828/9f7a67c5059e4e7b8a45a8353c5688c8/c.html
- Xinhua, Communication from the Political Bureau gathering and deadline V Plenum XX KC KPCh, 21 September 2026: https://www.news.cn/politics/20260921/f2ac80a685154ec6a44a713054ff19b/c.html
- Sinocism, Bill Bishop, "Fifth Plenum date set; Xi's US visit confirmed as negotiators meet in fresh York; Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli expelled from organization and PLA", 21 September 2026: https://sinocism.com/p/fifth-plenum-date-set-xis-us-visit
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