China expels generals accused of graft from Communist Party: state media

China removed two top military officials from the ruling Communist Party on Monday, state media announced, following an investigation into serious breaches of the law, likely corruption. Zhang Youxia, the higher-ranking of the two expelled generals, served as one of the Central Military Commission's (CMC) two vice chairmen, making him the country's most senior military figure.

However, in January, the defence ministry alleged Zhang and his colleague Liu Zhenli were "suspected of serious violations of discipline and the law," a euphemism for corruption. State news agency Xinhua detailed the allegations for the first time, stating the cases involved "exceptionally large sums of money." Both men were accused of becoming "disloyal to the Party" and crossing "red lines" by engaging in a range of offences, including forming cliques and accepting bribes for personal gain.

They also allegedly used their positions to help others with job promotions, according to Xinhua's report. The two generals' expulsion and transfer of their cases to the military's legal organs for prosecution follow a meeting of top officials in Beijing, who decided to expel them from the Communist Party. The expulsion must be ratified at a plenary session of the Party's Central Committee.

Xinhua emphasized that the decision reaffirms the firm stance that there is "absolutely no place for corrupt elements to hide within the military." In a separate development last month, Zhang and Liu were stripped of their positions in the state CMC.