Former top PLA generals expelled from Communist Party for factionalism and disloyalty

The Chinese Communist Party expelled former top military leaders Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from both the party and the armed forces on Monday, following a Politburo meeting, according to state media reports. Zhang, once the second-highest-ranking military official in China, and Liu, a member of the Communist Party's Politburo, were accused of factionalism and disloyalty during a sternly worded statement released on Monday.

The announcement detailed how the former military leaders violated party discipline and were suspected of serious duty-related crimes. Their offenses included seeking promotional benefits for others in exchange for money, accepting gifts and money in violation of regulations, failing to fulfill political responsibilities, and not properly educating and restraining their relatives and close staff.

Their cases went to military procuratorial bodies for legal review and prosecution. The statement emphasized the determination of the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission (CMC) to continue the fight against corruption, reaffirming their resolute stance that anti-corruption efforts in the military are unwavering and intolerant of any corruption.

This expulsion marks the continuation of a massive anti-corruption campaign within the People's Liberation Army (PLA) that has seen the downfall of dozens of top military officials in recent years.