The Aporia
Zhen, L. (2026, September 21). Former top PLA generals expelled from Communist Party for factionalism and disloyalty. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3368287/former-top-pla-generals-expelled-communist-party-factionalism-and-disloyalty?utm_source=rss_feed
Zhen, Liu. “Former top PLA generals expelled from Communist Party for factionalism and disloyalty.” South China Morning Post, 21 Sept. 2026, https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3368287/former-top-pla-generals-expelled-communist-party-factionalism-and-disloyalty?utm_source=rss_feed.
Zhen, Liu. “Former top PLA generals expelled from Communist Party for factionalism and disloyalty.” South China Morning Post, September 21, 2026. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3368287/former-top-pla-generals-expelled-communist-party-factionalism-and-disloyalty?utm_source=rss_feed.
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On September 21, 2026, the Chinese Communist Party expelled two high-ranking military officers, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, for serious violations including corruption and disloyalty to the party. Zhang was previously seen as President Xi Jinping's closest military ally and held a senior position in the Central Military Commission (CMC), while Liu served as chief of staff of its Joint Staff Department. The pair were stripped of their positions earlier in August due to "serious violations of discipline and law," commonly implying corruption. Xinhua news agency reported that investigations revealed exceptionally large sums involved in their alleged misconduct, though specific details remain undisclosed. This expulsion underscores Xi's ongoing anti-corruption campaign and his efforts to consolidate power by eliminating potential rivals within the military hierarchy.