By Khedroob Thondup

China’s expulsion of General Zhang Youxia on September 21, 2026, marks one of the most dramatic purges in Xi Jinping’s decade-long campaign to consolidate control over the military. Officially framed as punishment for “serious violations of discipline and law,” the move underscores how corruption charges are often intertwined with accusations of disloyalty to Xi and the Party. 

Zhang Youxia’s Fall from Grace. Position: Zhang was Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), making him the highest-ranking uniformed officer in the PLA and Xi’s second-in-command in military affairs. Charges: State media accused him of taking bribes, forming cliques, abusing office, and being “disloyal and dishonest to the Party.” Scale of misconduct: Reports cited “exceptionally large sums of money” and &ld...