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China removes high-ranking general Zhang Youxia from the Central Military Commission following a seven-month investigation.

China officially removed Zhang Youxia from his position as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission on Friday. The decision followed a seven-month investigation into the general for suspected serious violations of discipline and the law. Zhang Youxia was the more senior of two vice chairmen and held the rank of China's highest-ranked general. His removal comes as part of a broader anti-graft drive under President Xi Jinping. He was investigated alongside Liu Zhenli, who was also removed from his post as chief of staff of the CMC's joint staff department. The investigation began in January, with the defense ministry stating that both Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were suspected of serious violations of discipline and the law. These violations were described as a common euphemism for corruption. Earlier reports indicated that the pair may have betrayed the trust of the Communist Party and undermined the party's absolute control of the military.

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