China’s top general (and friend of Xi) accused of giving nuclear secrets to the US

Analysts describe the case as potentially unprecedented in scale and symbolism. Xi’s new hand over the PLA could be good news for Taiwan and other Chinese enemies.

China opened an investigation into the general Zhang Youxiacurrently considered the country’s most senior military officer and, for years, one of President Xi Jinping’s most trusted allies.

According to several sources who are following an internal clarification session addressed to the top of the Armed Forces, Zhang is accused not only of corruption and abuse of power, but also of having shared sensitive information with the United States on China’s nuclear weapons program, highlights this Sunday.

The internal session took place on Saturday morning and was attended by senior officers. Shortly before, the Chinese Ministry of Defense had publicly announced an investigation into “serious violations of party discipline and state laws”, without providing details. The explanation given behind closed doors, however, was much more detailed and serious, the sources point out: Zhang’s fall could be the beginning of a whole new phase of purges and political control about the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

According to the sources cited, Zhang is suspected of having formed networks of influence considered dangerous, as they undermine the internal unity and authority of the leader. The same session reportedly referred to allegations that the general abused his weight in the Central Military Commission (CMC), the country’s highest military decision-making body, chaired by Xi.

Another line of investigation focuses on Zhang’s tutelage over a powerful agency linked to the research, development and acquisition of weapons. Sources say Zhang is accused of having received money in exchange for promotions and appointments in that military system.

However, underlines the WSJ, the most explosive accusation is that the general will have disclosed essential nuclear technical data to the USA.

The case against Zhang will have arisen from the case of Gu Junformer general director of China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC), a state-owned conglomerate that oversees the civil and military dimensions of the Chinese nuclear program. Beijing recently announced an investigation into Jun for suspected serious violations, and the internal session will have established a bridge between that investigation and a security breach in the nuclear sector.

Zhang, 75 years old, belongs to the group of “red princes” — the descendants of revolutionary veterans who constitute an elite with privileged access to key positions. Its weight also comes from the family connection: Zhang’s father fought alongside Xi’s father during the Chinese civil war that culminated in communist victory in 1949. The case appears to have no similar precedents in terms of scale and symbolism.

The internal session will also associate Zhang with the rise and fall of the former Defense Minister Li Shangfuremoved after disappearing from public life in 2023 and later expelled from the party for corruption. Zhang reportedly helped promote Li in exchange for bribes.

Liu Zhenli, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will also be investigated. He is another central military figure in China.

Xi Jinping reportedly created a working team to re-examine the period in which Zhang commanded the Shenyang Military Region (2007-2012), with researchers already present in the northeastern city. The choice of local hotels instead of military bases is not just any detail: it is being interpreted as an attempt to reduce the risk of interference and avoid contacts with loyalty networks that the general could maintain on the ground. Cellphones and devices belonging to officials promoted under the supervision of Zhang and Liu were also seized.

On Saturday, an official army newspaper accused Zhang of having “undermined” the institutional basis of the CMC chairman’s authority.

Good news for Taiwan?

The purge at the top of the PLA chain could be a good sign for those who have conflicts with the Chinese. According to analyzes cited by international bodies, the Central Military Commission began its term in 2022 with six professional military members; At this time, there is only one career officer left in office, Zhang Shengmin.

Experts in security studies warn the WSJ that this “decapitalization” of the command could harm the planning and execution of complex operations. There are those who argue that, in the short and medium term, such could reduce the likelihood of large-scale military action, including a scenario of invasion of Taiwan — Beijing sees Taiwan as part of its territory and maintains the possibility of using force.

Since the summer of 2023, China has removed top officials from the army, air force, navy, strategic missile force, paramilitary police and regional commands, including structures directly related to the Taiwan theater.

Over the course of about two and a half years, Dozens of senior defense officials and executives have reportedly been investigated or removed.