China’s ruling Communist Party expels two senior military leaders, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, from the party and the armed forces. State media report the expulsions follow a Politburo meeting and are based on findings that the men committed “serious violations of discipline and law.” Both outlets describe the cases as part of broader efforts to tighten control over the military.
Zhang is described as a former vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and long seen as closely aligned with President Xi Jinping, while Liu is described as a Central Military Commission member and chief of staff of the Joint Staff Department. Multiple reports say the leadership accused them of political disloyalty and corruption, as well as other disciplinary issues such as dereliction of duty. Some outlets also cite allegations of forming cliques and factions and “crossing red lines,” language used in official documentation.
The articles differ mainly in emphasis. Bloomberg and others focus on President Xi’s ongoing push to purge the armed forces and cite bribe-taking allegations. Al Jazeera and the South China Morning Post stress disloyalty and factionalism. Financial Times similarly highlights “disloyalty,” while other reports focus on the timing of investigation and removal from the Central Military Commission.
