This is a new development in the multi-year purge campaign to tighten discipline in the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).
On January 24, Xinhua News Agency quoted information from the Chinese Ministry of National Defense announcing that Senior Lieutenant General Zhang Youxia - First Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission - the highest-ranking military body of China - is being investigated on suspicion of serious violations of discipline and law.
Mr. Zhang Youxiang is the latest high-ranking figure to be put under investigation in a multi-year purge campaign against Chinese generals and military officers. The Central Military Commission currently plays the supreme commanding role over the entire armed forces of this country.
According to analysts, the investigations and handling of military officers are aimed at two parallel goals: Reorganizing and modernizing the military and consolidating loyalty to Chinese President Xi Jinping, who also holds the position of Chairman of the Central Military Commission.
These moves are part of a larger anti-corruption campaign, which has handled more than 200,000 officials since Mr. Xi Jinping came to power in 2012.
On the same day, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense said that Liu Zhenli - another member of the Central Military Commission - was also put under investigation by the Communist Party of China. Liu is currently the Chief of Staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under the Central Military Commission.
The Ministry of National Defense's announcement did not specify the alleged acts against these two generals.
Mr. Zhang Youxia (75 years old) joined the Chinese People's Liberation Army in 1968, originating from the army and holding the rank of general. In his role as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, he is considered one of the most influential figures in the Chinese military command system.
Previously, in October last year, Mr. He Weidong, another Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, was expelled by the Communist Party of China and replaced by Mr. Zhang Shengmin, a member of this committee.
The Central Military Commission is the supreme military leadership body of China, directly commanding the PLA, armed police forces and related units, playing a key role in the power structure of this country.
