China has removed two senior military officials, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, from both the Communist Party and the armed forces, citing serious violations including disloyalty, corruption, and breaches of discipline. The formal expulsions were announced on Monday following a Politburo meeting led by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Zhang Youxia, who served as vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC)—China's top military authority—and was considered one of Xi's closest military allies, was a prominent figure within the party’s leadership and the only major CMC member with combat experience. Liu Zhenli, also a member of the CMC, held the position of chief of staff for its Joint Staff Department. Both men were removed from the state CMC in late August after investigations into their conduct were publicly disclosed earlier this year.

Official statements accuse Zhang and Liu of "seriously violating political discipline and political rules," forming factions opposed to party unity, and displaying disloyalty toward the Communist Party’s principles. According to Chinese state media, their actions included extensive corruption intertwined with abuses of office, dereliction of duty, and failure to enforce party discipline, with financial misconduct described as involving exceptionally large sums.

These charges come amid a broad and sustained anticorruption campaign initiated by Xi since his rise to power in 2012, which has targeted millions across China’s party bureaucracy, government structures, and military. The military itself has become a particular focus in recent years, with numerous high-ranking officers investigated and removed from office. The purges have significantly reduced the number of active CMC members from seven to just two—Xi himself and another official.

International analysts note that while corruption allegations against senior People's Liberation Army (PLA) officers are not uncommon, the element of disloyalty—particularly the formation of internal factions—is notable and echoes political struggles from earlier eras of Chinese history. Dennis Wilder, a former U.S. intelligence official specializing in China, described the accusations as a strong signal reaffirming Xi’s control over the military and discouraging any challenge to his authority.

Zhang’s downfall is particularly striking given his prior status as a symbol of generational loyalty to the Communist revolution in the 1980s. Experts suggest that the expulsions highlight the extent to which Xi's administration is willing to confront perceived internal threats, regardless of an individual’s past contributions or standing.

The cases against both Zhang and Liu will be transferred to military prosecutors for further legal scrutiny and potential prosecution, according to official reports. The announcement comes just days before Xi’s planned visit to the United States for high-level discussions with President Donald Trump and ahead of an important party meeting in October focusing on internal governance and discipline.