• Vice Chairman of Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia suspected of leaking technical information on China’s nuclear weapons program to United States
• Investigation linked to evidence from probe of Gu Jun, former CEO of China National Nuclear Corporation
• If removed, Zhang would become highest-ranking officer expelled from Chinese military since Tiananmen Square suppression in 1989

BEIJING, CHINA (TDR) — China’s senior-most general Zhang Youxia is accused of leaking information about the country’s nuclear weapons program to the United States and accepting bribes for official acts, including the promotion of an officer to defense minister, according to people familiar with a high-level briefing on the allegations.

The 75-year-old vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, widely regarded as President Xi Jinping’s closest ally at the apex of the military, faces allegations that include building political influence networks that undermined party unity, abusing his authority, and accepting vast sums of money in exchange for promotions within the military procurement system.

“The party’s decision to investigate Zhang underscores that the leadership is taking a comprehensive and uncompromising approach in its fight against corruption.”

Most Shocking Allegation

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The most serious allegation revealed during Saturday’s briefing to senior officers in the Chinese military was that Zhang leaked “technical information” to the United States about China’s nuclear weapons, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cited several people familiar with the matter who took part in the high-level briefing.

Chinese authorities are examining how Zhang oversaw a powerful military agency responsible for the research, development and procurement of military equipment. People familiar with the weekend briefing said Zhang is alleged to have received enormous sums of money in exchange for promotions within the agency’s heavily funded procurement apparatus.

The briefing took place Saturday morning, shortly before Beijing’s dramatic announcement Sunday about the investigation into Zhang. In that announcement, authorities provided no substantive details about the allegations, saying only that Zhang was suspected of violating the law and party discipline.

“These included building political influence networks that undermined party unity, abusing his authority on the Central Military Commission, and accepting vast sums of money in exchange for promoting rivals in tenders within the military procurement system.”

Connection To Defense Minister Promotion

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Sources said Zhang is suspected of having promoted former Defense Minister Li Shangfu to his post in return for a substantial bribe. Li disappeared from public view in China in 2023 and was later removed as defense minister. A year later, he was expelled from the Communist Party on corruption charges.

The Central Military Commission is the body that oversees China’s armed forces and is chaired by President Xi Jinping. Zhang is also a member of the Politburo, the Communist Party’s top decision-making body.

Zhang and Xi share similar backgrounds as “princelings,” the sons of senior party officials. Zhang’s father was a general who fought alongside Xi’s father in China’s civil war.

Nuclear Corporation Investigation Link

Some of the evidence against Zhang came from Gu Jun, the former chief executive of China National Nuclear Corporation, a state-owned company that oversees all aspects of China’s nuclear programs, both civilian and military, according to sources.

Last Monday, China announced the opening of an investigation into the former executive, citing suspected violations of state law and party discipline. During Saturday’s briefing, sources said, authorities revealed that the investigation into Gu was what linked Zhang to a security breach within China’s nuclear sector. They added that no details were provided about the breach itself.

The Wall Street Journal said it was unable to obtain comment from Zhang or Gu.

Political Cliques Allegation

Sources said Zhang is also suspected of forming “political cliques,” a term used to describe efforts to build influence networks that undermine Communist Party unity. He is also accused of abusing his authority within the influential military agency he oversaw.

Authorities seized the personal phones of officers who had been promoted by Zhang and by senior General Liu Zhenli, who some sources said is also under investigation. Thousands of officers with ties to Zhang and Liu have now become “potential targets,” according to the sources.

Special Investigative Team

President Xi set up a special investigative team to examine Zhang’s tenure as commander of the military region in China’s northeast between 2007 and 2012, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The team traveled to the city of Shenyang and chose to stay in local hotels rather than military bases, out of concern that the senior officer maintained a network of supporters who could interfere with the investigation.

Authorities also reportedly confiscated mobile devices from officers promoted alongside and by the two senior generals under suspicion. Thousands of additional officers linked to them could now find themselves drawn into the probe.

Historical Significance

If Zhang is indeed removed, he would become the highest-ranking officer expelled from the Chinese military since the suppression of the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. It would also mark the first time since that year that two Politburo members are removed during the same term.

Of the seven members of the body appointed in 2022, only two would remain: Xi himself as chairman and one vice chairman. The Central Military Commission has been left almost entirely vacant.

“If Zhang is indeed removed, he would become the highest-ranking officer expelled from the Chinese military since the suppression of the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989.”

Broader Military Purge Pattern

The case is part of a broader purge Xi has been leading at the top of the military. Since the summer of 2023, more than 50 senior officers and defense industry executives have been ousted, according to The Wall Street Journal.

In October alone, nine generals were dismissed, including another vice chairman of the Central Military Commission. Xi came to power in 2012 and has become the most powerful leader in China since Mao Zedong, portraying corruption and disloyalty as existential threats to the party.

In the West, the purges are sometimes portrayed as part of Xi’s efforts to modernize the Chinese military. According to US intelligence assessments, Xi has ordered the People’s Liberation Army to be ready by 2027 to carry out a successful invasion of Taiwan, a year that also marks the centenary of the PLA’s founding.

Potential Operational Impact

A Pentagon assessment published in December found that the pace and scale of the coming dismissals could undermine the Chinese military’s operational capabilities in the short term.

Some analysts believe this decision may affect temporarily the effectiveness of China’s military operations, potentially reducing the immediate risk of a Taiwan invasion. The restructuring of military command comes at a time of growing tension with Taiwan and imminent strategic negotiations with the Donald Trump administration.

Embassy Response

A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, commented on the investigation, stating that “the party’s decision to investigate Zhang underscores that the leadership is taking a comprehensive and uncompromising approach in its fight against corruption.”

The statement did not address the specific allegations of leaking nuclear weapons information to the United States or accepting bribes for official promotions.

Symbolic Fall Of Xi Ally

The fall of Zhang Youxia is particularly symbolic. Like Xi Jinping, Zhang is a “princeling” of the Communist Party elite, son of a general who fought alongside Xi’s father in the civil war.

His fall signals that Xi’s anti-corruption campaign has no limits, not even for ties of historic friendship. The investigation demonstrates that even the closest allies of the Chinese leader are not immune from scrutiny.

“His fall signals that Xi’s anti-corruption campaign has no limits, not even for ties of historic friendship.”

Strategic Timing Considerations

This forced restructuring of military command occurs at a moment of increasing tension with Taiwan and imminent strategic negotiations with the Trump administration. The allegations against China’s highest-ranking general come as Beijing and Washington navigate disputes over trade, technology, Taiwan, and military activity in the Asia-Pacific region.

Any suggestion of espionage involving nuclear secrets risks further eroding trust and complicating diplomatic engagement between the world’s two largest powers. The timing of the investigation and public disclosure raises questions about internal power dynamics within China’s military establishment and the broader implications for regional security.

If allegations prove true that China’s most senior general leaked nuclear weapons information to the United States while accepting bribes for high-level promotions, what does this reveal about vulnerabilities in Beijing’s national security apparatus despite Xi Jinping’s sweeping anti-corruption campaigns?

Sources

This report was compiled using information from Israel Hayom’s coverage of the investigation, Ynetnews reporting on the allegations, The Wall Street Journal’s original reporting cited by multiple outlets, and international coverage from CNN Portugal, Il Messaggero, and El Financiero.

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