China locations highest-ranking normal below investigation

[ad_1] <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/0dbc/live/c9bfcd40-f922-11f0-8e3c-b79a1b327384.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/0dbc/live/c9bfcd40-f922-11f0-8e3c-b79a1b327384.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/0dbc/live/c9bfcd40-f922-11f0-8e3c-b79a1b327384.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/0dbc/live/c9bfcd40-f922-11f0-8e3c-b79a1b327384.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/0dbc/live/c9bfcd40-f922-11f0-8e3c-b79a1b327384.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/0dbc/live/c9bfcd40-f922-11f0-8e3c-b79a1b327384.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/0dbc/live/c9bfcd40-f922-11f0-8e3c-b79a1b327384.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/0dbc/live/c9bfcd40-f922-11f0-8e3c-b79a1b327384.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="Reuters Zhang Youxia arrives for a group photo session before the opening ceremony of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium in Qingdao, Shandong province" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Reuters Zhang Youxia was broadly seen as President Xi's closest navy ally

China's defence ministry says it has opened an investigation into the nation's highest-ranking normal over "grave violations of self-discipline and the legislation".

The ministry gave no additional particulars about accusations in opposition to Common Zhang Youxia, who has broadly been seen as President Xi Jinping's closest navy ally. Nevertheless in China the accusation of wrongdoing is often a euphemism for corruption.

In its announcement, the ministry stated one other senior navy officer, Common Liu Zhenli, was additionally below investigation.

Their removing follows the expulsion of 9 high generals in October - one of many largest public crackdowns on the navy in a long time.

Zhang, 75, is a vice-chairman of the Central Navy Fee (CMC) - the Communist Celebration group headed by President Xi which controls the armed forces.

Zhang additionally sits on the social gathering's high decision-making physique, the 24-person Politburo.

His father was one of many founding generals of the Chinese language Communist Celebration.

Zhang joined the military in 1968 and is one in every of just a few senior leaders with fight expertise.

He was saved in workplace past the customary retirement age for China's navy, suggesting President Xi's confidence in him till now.

The announcement comes days after rumours appeared that Zhang and Liu could possibly be dealing with an investigation as they weren't current at a high-level social gathering occasion in December.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/caee/live/00449650-f920-11f0-b5f7-49f0357294ff.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/caee/live/00449650-f920-11f0-b5f7-49f0357294ff.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/caee/live/00449650-f920-11f0-b5f7-49f0357294ff.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/caee/live/00449650-f920-11f0-b5f7-49f0357294ff.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/caee/live/00449650-f920-11f0-b5f7-49f0357294ff.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/caee/live/00449650-f920-11f0-b5f7-49f0357294ff.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/caee/live/00449650-f920-11f0-b5f7-49f0357294ff.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/caee/live/00449650-f920-11f0-b5f7-49f0357294ff.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Reuters Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at a reception marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China September 3, 2025." class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Reuters President Xi has been accused of utilizing corruption investigations to purge political rivals

Since coming to energy, President Xi has launched waves of anti-corruption drives by numerous departments and this marketing campaign has not too long ago targeted closely on the navy.

He has referred to as corruption "the most important risk" to the Communist Celebration and stated the battle in opposition to it "stays grave and complicated".

Advocates say the coverage promotes good governance, however others imagine it has been used as a instrument to purge political rivals.

With the probe into Zhang and Liu, the CMC is now down from the unique seven members to simply two: Xi, who's the chairman, and Zhang Shengmin, who's liable for the navy's disciplinary affairs.