China Expels Two Top Military Generals From Communist Party Over Corruption

China has removed two of its most senior military figures from the ruling Communist Party, state media reported on Monday, in a significant escalation of the country's long-running anti-corruption drive within the armed forces.

The expelled officials are Gen. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and the second-highest-ranking figure in the military hierarchy after President Xi Jinping, and Gen. Liu Zhenli, chief of staff of the commission's Joint Staff Department.

According to the official Xinhua News Agency, a months-long investigation found that both men had been "disloyal and dishonest to the Party." They were also accused of abusing their positions to secure promotions for others while improperly accepting gifts and an "enormous amount of money."

The investigation concluded that the two generals "seriously violated political discipline and political rules" and failed to properly supervise their relatives and close staff members. Their cases have been referred to military prosecutors.

The expulsions are part of a broader and continuing purge of military officials, reflecting Beijing's sustained campaign against corruption in the ranks. President Xi has repeatedly insisted that the top military leadership remain free of corruption and demonstrate unwavering loyalty to the Communist Party.

"There must be no one in the military who harbors disloyalty to the Party," Xi said in remarks published by Xinhua in March.