China's highest-ranking general under probe for 'serious violation' of law

China's Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice-Chairman Zhang Youxia, and CMC member Liu Zhenli are under investigation for suspected "serious violations of discipline and law", a spokesman for China's Ministry of Defence said on Saturday afternoon.

Such a charge, according to the BBC, is usually a euphemism for corruption.

Zhang is the highest-ranking general in China.

The New York Times called him second only to Xi Jinping in the military hierarchy.

They also cited an analyst who called this move “the total annihilation of the high command".

Zhang also sits on the 24-person Politburo, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) top decision-making body.

He is also Xi's childhood friend.

His father was one of the founding generals of the CCP.

According to Chinese media, the investigation was decided by the CCP's Central Committee.

He joined the army in 1968.

This investigation follows a crackdown in October 2025, where eight top generals were expelled on graft charges.

This included the number two general, He Weidong.

Image from Chinese media