China has expelled two senior military officials, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, from the Communist Party of China and removed them from the military following investigations into serious discipline and legal violations, according to a decision announced after a CPC leadership meeting on Monday.
The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee approved reports from the Central Military Commission on the handling of the two cases after reviewing them, Xinhua News Agency reported.
Zhang previously served as a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission. Liu served as a member of the Central Military Commission and chief of staff of the CMC Joint Staff Department.
The disciplinary action places two senior figures from China's military establishment at the centre of the country's continuing campaign against corruption and violations of Party discipline.
Investigations Find Serious Party Discipline Violations
The CMC Discipline Inspection Commission opened investigations into Zhang and Liu with the approval of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission.
According to the findings reported by Xinhua, the investigations concluded that both officials had betrayed what the Party described as their original aspiration and mission. They were also accused of becoming alienated from the Party, abandoning Party principles and crossing established disciplinary boundaries.
The investigation further found that Zhang and Liu had formed cliques and had demonstrated disloyalty and dishonesty toward the Party.
The allegations go beyond internal political conduct. Investigators also found that the two officials had illegally accepted gifts and money and had used their positions to assist others with job promotions and other matters in return for large sums of money.
The findings present the alleged conduct as involving both the misuse of official authority and financial benefits obtained through their positions.
Officials Accused of Using Positions for Personal Gain
According to the reported investigation, Zhang and Liu accepted money and gifts illegally and used their authority to help individuals seeking promotions or assistance with other matters.
Such allegations are particularly serious within China's military and Party disciplinary system because senior officials are expected to maintain strict controls over the use of public authority.
The investigation also found that the two officials failed to fulfil their responsibilities for implementing full and rigorous Party self governance.
They were additionally accused of neglecting the education and management of members of their families and staff.
The findings therefore covered both their own conduct and their responsibilities as senior officials. Under the disciplinary framework described in the report, senior personnel can face consequences not only for direct violations but also for failing to properly manage and supervise those under their responsibility.
Suspected Criminal Matters Sent for Prosecution
The action against Zhang and Liu goes beyond Party disciplinary measures.
Under relevant CPC regulations and laws, both officials were expelled from the Party, while matters involving suspected criminal conduct were transferred to military procuratorial organs for examination and prosecution.
The transfer means the alleged criminal issues will be handled through the military judicial system rather than ending with internal disciplinary proceedings.
The qualifications of both men as deputies to the 20th CPC National Congress were also terminated.
Their Party expulsions will still require formal confirmation by the CPC Central Committee when it convenes a plenary session.
The sequence of disciplinary and legal measures shows that the cases involve separate stages. Internal Party action has been announced, while suspected criminal matters have been referred for further examination and possible prosecution.
Cases Add to China's Military Anti Corruption Drive
The action against the two former senior officials comes within China's continuing campaign against corruption in the Party and military.
Xinhua said the cases demonstrated the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission's determination to continue the anti corruption campaign.
The report also stressed the principle that the campaign applies across the system, with no restricted areas and no tolerance for corrupt conduct.
According to Xinhua, the cases show that military personnel involved in corruption cannot expect their positions to shield them from investigation or disciplinary action.
The removal of Zhang and Liu is particularly notable because both held senior positions within the Central Military Commission. Their previous responsibilities placed them among the most senior figures in China's military command structure.
Zhang served as a vice chairman of the CMC, while Liu held the post of chief of staff of its Joint Staff Department. Their expulsion therefore affects officials who previously occupied positions with significant responsibility within the country's military leadership.
Military Officials Face Greater Scrutiny
The cases also demonstrate the range of conduct that can trigger disciplinary action under the Party's rules.
The reported findings include accepting illegal gifts and money, using official positions to assist others in return for financial benefits, forming cliques, failing to maintain loyalty to the Party and neglecting responsibilities involving family and staff management.
The investigation did not limit its findings to a single alleged act. Instead, it described a broader pattern of conduct that authorities considered inconsistent with Party discipline and the responsibilities attached to senior military positions.
The referral of suspected criminal matters to military procuratorial organs adds another layer to the proceedings. The next stage will concern the examination and prosecution of those matters under the applicable military legal system.
CPC Leadership Approves Handling of Cases
The Political Bureau meeting on Monday provided the formal political approval for the Central Military Commission's reports on the cases.
The decision followed investigations conducted by the CMC Discipline Inspection Commission after receiving approval from the CPC Central Committee and the CMC.
The process illustrates the institutional path described in the announcement, moving from investigation by the military discipline authorities to Party disciplinary action and, where suspected criminal conduct was identified, referral to military procuratorial authorities.
The final confirmation of the Party expulsions will come when the CPC Central Committee holds a plenary session.
Until then, the announced disciplinary measures remain subject to that formal confirmation process.
The cases also send a clear institutional message about the treatment of senior military officials accused of corruption and serious disciplinary violations. Positions within the military leadership do not, under the rules cited in the announcement, prevent investigations or referral of suspected criminal matters.
The immediate next steps will be the formal confirmation of the expulsions and the examination and prosecution process involving the suspected criminal issues referred to military procuratorial organs.
What further action will follow as the military procuratorial authorities examine the cases against the two former senior officials?