{
  "id": 8925071,
  "title": "Former top PLA generals expelled from Communist Party for factionalism and disloyalty",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/former-top-pla-generals-expelled-from-communist-party-for",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-21T13:10:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
    "slug": "reuters-business-via-scmp",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3368287/former-top-pla-generals-expelled-communist-party-factionalism-and-disloyalty"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "The Communist Party accused former military leaders Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli of factionalism and disloyalty, expelling them from the party and the armed forces following a Politburo meeting on Monday, state media reported. Zhang was once a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and the highest-ranking uniformed member of the Chinese military, second only to Chinese leader Xi…",
  "key_points": [
    "Former PLA generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli expelled from party and military",
    "Accused of factionalism and disloyalty during Politburo meeting",
    "Violated party discipline with bribery, gift acceptance, and neglect of duties"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Former top PLA generals expelled from Communist Party for factionalism and disloyalty",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/former-top-pla-generals-expelled-from-communist-party-for-8925091",
        "published": "2026-09-21T13:10:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}