[People News]Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and Liu Zhenli, CMC member and Chief of the Joint Staff Department, were suddenly removed from their posts on the 24th. The military newspaper published an editorial that same evening quickly defining their cases. However, after such heavyweight military figures were taken down, in the three days that followed there were no visible statements from across the armed forces expressing support for “the Central Committee’s decision,” as had occurred the day after former CMC vice chairmen Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong were purged. This has drawn attention.

According to reporting by The Epoch Times, since the Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced the fall of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli on January 24, and as of January 26, 2026, only the military newspaper’s editorial on the 24th has been seen, which harshly criticized Zhang and Liu for “seriously trampling and undermining the CMC chairman responsibility system and endangering the CCP’s ruling foundation,” among other accusations. Observers have not seen any official channels from the various theater commands, major military regions, provincial military districts, or local units (such as the Eastern Theater Command or Southern Theater Command) issue loyalty statements like “resolutely supporting the Central Committee’s decision,” nor related study or discussion reports in state media.

Looking back at past cases, when authorities first publicly announced on June 30, 2014 that Xu Caihou was expelled from the Party, and on July 30, 2015 that Guo Boxiong was expelled, the PLA’s four general headquarters, seven military regions, the navy, air force, and Second Artillery all issued collective statements within the following two days expressing support for the central decision and emphasizing the need to eliminate their negative influence. Official media also reported extensively.

But when authorities announced on January 9, 2018 that CMC member Fang Fenghui and Zhang Yang had fallen, and when former CMC Vice Chairman He Weidong and others were officially declared to have fallen last year, there were no large-scale collective statements of support across the entire military.

U.S.-based veteran commentator Chen Pokong told The Epoch Times that both Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli had relatively positive images within the military. They are veteran generals who both participated in the Vietnam War and are the only two PLA full generals with real combat experience. Under such circumstances, Xi Jinping took a major risk in moving against them and fears discontent within the armed forces. In the past, scandals involving Xi’s own faction were often delayed or covered up, but this time the authorities quickly announced the fall of Zhang and Liu in order to intimidate the military.

Chen believes that the absence of the kind of army-wide statements of support seen after Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou were purged may indicate that although Xi Jinping and Cai Qi may have mobilized internally, many people have doubts about the matter. Discontenting voices are likely already circulating within the military. Zhang Youxia’s former subordinates may be trying to find out about their old commander’s situation or even seek to rescue him, so Xi must strictly guard against a military upheaval.

Current affairs commentator Li Linyi said that when Fang Fenghui and Zhang Yang fell, their weight did not match that of Guo and Xu; they were dealt with as remnants of those earlier cases, so there was no need for army-wide statements. The falls of He Weidong, Miao Hua, or earlier Li Shangfu also did not match the seniority of Zhang Youxia. This time, after Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were officially announced as having fallen, aside from the military newspaper editorial, the entire military has remained silent. This could be explained by the authorities having already changed the rules, but it also cannot be ruled out that Xi hopes the Zhang Youxia incident will cool down quickly to avoid backlash within the armed forces.

On the 26th, the PLA Daily ran a front-page article discussing military anti-corruption, declaring that “status confers no immunity, and merit is not a voucher against guilt,” but the entire piece did not mention Zhang Youxia or Liu Zhenli by name.

Notably, on the same day Zhang and Liu were officially announced to have fallen, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection’s website deleted its previously reposted Ministry of National Defense notice about Zhang Youxia’s case, for unknown reasons.

On the overseas platform X, well-known democracy activist Tang Baiqiao said on the 25th, “Latest update: I’ve just received first-hand information that Zhang Youxia’s case has not yet been settled. Both sides are arguing over the legality of the arrest. Zhang’s family and some of his subordinates have openly expressed dissatisfaction and are demanding corrections. The authorities have halted further actions. Xi’s absolute authority is being challenged for the first time. The probability of an accidental spark is rising.”

Some netizens also commented on the unusual situation: “Can’t make sense of it! Was Zhang Youxia actually arrested or not? On Xinhua’s website, Zhang Youxia still appears to be the same Zhang Youxia, firmly in position. On the CCDI site, the investigation notice is said to have been ‘withdrawn.’ On CCTV’s evening news, there’s no mention of it at all.”

At present, the Ministry of National Defense website still contains extensive past activity reports about Zhang Youxia, while information about activities of He Weidong, another CMC vice chairman who fell last year, has already been cleared. △