China expels generals accused of graft from Communist Party: State media

The announcement fit into the sweeping anti-corruption drive that has defined President Xi Jinping’s time in power.(AFP) — China expelled two high-ranking military officers from the ruling Communist Party on Monday, state media reported, months after authorities announced they were being investigated for “serious violations of the law.”One of them, Zhang Youxia, was the more senior of two vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission, making him China’s highest-ranking general.However, the Defense Ministry said in January that Zhang and the second officer, Liu Zhenli, were “suspected of serious violations of discipline and the law,” a common euphemism for corruption.The announcement fit into the sweeping anti-corruption drive that has defined President Xi Jinping’s time in power — but Zhang’s fall from grace in particular shocked observers, given his seniority and the perception that he was close to China’s leader.The official Xinhua News Agency shared details of their cases for the first time, saying they involved “exceptionally large sums of money.”Top officials meeting in Beijing on Monday “decided to expel” the two men from the Communist Party and transfer their cases to the military’s legal organs “for review and prosecution,” Xinhua said.An investigation found Zhang and Liu had “become disloyal to the Party … and crossed red lines” by committing offenses including forming cliques and accepting huge sums of money for personal gain, Xinhua said.The two men also “used their positions to help others in matters such as job promotion,” Xinhua reported, citing the investigation.Their expulsion is subject to ratification at a plenary session of the party’s Central Committee.Monday’s decision “reaffirms the firm position that … there is absolutely no place for corrupt elements to hide within the military,” Xinhua said.Last month, Zhang and Liu were stripped of their positions on the state Central Military Commission.Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads