WSJ: Xi Jinping Has Removed The "No. 1 General"

China's army has been rocked by a massive purge.

China's leader Si Jinping has launched an investigation into his most powerful military associate, marking the most sweeping reorganization of the country's armed forces in decades. The move is aimed at stepping up the fight against military corruption and political disloyalty, writes The Wall Street Journal.

General Zhang Yuxia, the elder of two vice-chairmen of the Communist Party of China's Central Military Commission and the country's de facto No. 1 general, is under investigation for "serious violations of Party discipline and state laws."

General Liu Zhenli, the chief of China's Joint Chiefs of Staff responsible for battle planning and military operations, is being investigated along with him. He is also accused of similar violations.

A blow to the elite of military modernization

Zhang and Liu were key figures in China's military modernization program and belonged to the few generals with real combat experience. Their ouster demonstrates the extent of Xi Jinping's drive to purge the military of officers seen as corrupt or politically unreliable.

Dozens of senior military and defense leaders have been ousted in China in recent years, casting doubt on Beijing's stated goal of building a fighting force capable of standing up to the West on equal footing.

Harsh Public Criticism

The official newspaper of China's People's Liberation Army published an editorial sharply criticizing Zhang and Liu. The piece said they had undermined Xi Jinping's authority, contributed to political and corruption problems in the military and weakened the Communist Party's control over the army.

"Their misconduct has had an extremely negative impact on the party, the nation and the armed forces," the publication emphasized.

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