Four Strange Anomalies After Zhang Youxia’s Arrest

Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, remarked that Xi&9;s faction has been entirely apprehended. (Video screenshot)

[People News] Based on information from various sources, after Zhang Youxia’s arrest, the CCP political situation has become eerie, showing four major abnormalities.

1. The unusually rapid official announcement

Under normal circumstances, when a CCP Politburo member is arrested or placed under “shuanggui” (internal Party investigation), it takes months before any official conclusion is released. For example, news of He Weidong’s arrest first surfaced in March last year. Soon after, there were reports that He Weidong had already died in Beijing’s 301 Hospital. For more than half a year, however, He remained in a state of rumor—neither seen alive nor confirmed dead. It wasn’t until October 17, three days before the Fourth Plenum, that the Ministry of National Defense website suddenly released the shocking news that He Weidong, Miao Hua, and eight other full generals had fallen. In other words, at least seven months passed after He Weidong’s trouble before an official announcement was made.

But this time, with Zhang Youxia’s downfall, internal news only emerged on January 20, and an official announcement came on January 24. Moreover, the announcement did not include the usual phrasing such as “reviewed and approved at a Politburo meeting,” meaning it was released directly without the Politburo even holding a meeting—completely bypassing normal procedural rules. In fact, the Politburo’s regular monthly meeting would have been held just a week later, yet they couldn’t even wait one week. Such urgency suggests the matter is extremely serious, tied to the fate of the Party-state, requiring an immediate showdown and nationwide stability maintenance.

2. The military has not publicly expressed support

When former CMC vice chairmen Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong fell, the PLA quickly voiced support the very next day, declaring they “supported the Central Committee’s decision.” But since the CCP Ministry of National Defense announced the fall of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli on January 24, as of January 28, 2026, aside from a same-day editorial in the PLA Daily condemning Zhang and Liu for “seriously trampling and undermining the CMC Chairman responsibility system and endangering the CCP’s ruling foundation,” no departments of the CMC, theater commands, or services have issued official statements pledging loyalty or expressing firm support for the Party Central Committee’s decision, nor have there been study-session reports in official media.

It is said Xi Jinping demanded that army group commanders express their stance of support, but they have generally remained silent. Some analysts believe this indicates internal dissatisfaction within the military over Zhang Youxia’s arrest.

Well-known pro-democracy activist Tang Baiqiao posted on overseas platform X on the 25th, claiming: “Just received firsthand information: the Zhang Youxia case is not yet settled. Both sides are arguing over the legality of the arrest. Zhang’s family and some of his subordinates have publicly expressed dissatisfaction and demanded correction. The authorities have halted further actions. Xi’s absolute authority is being challenged for the first time. The probability of accidental escalation is increasing.”

3. State media have not given the matter high-profile coverage

News of Zhang Youxia’s fall was first posted on the CCP Ministry of National Defense website on the afternoon of January 24. CCTV News reported it during the midday slot, but the evening Xinwen Lianbo broadcast did not mention it again. That afternoon, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and National Supervisory Commission website also posted notices that Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were under investigation, but later deleted them. People’s Daily placed the related report on page four of its January 25 inner pages.

By normal logic, taking down Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli would be a major victory for Xi Jinping. At such a critical moment, Party and military media should be waving flags and cheering for Xi to demonstrate loyalty. Interestingly, however, official and military media have been very restrained, with none of the overwhelming propaganda momentum one might expect.

4. Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli’s names remain on official websites

The author checked Xinhua Net, CCTV’s website, People’s Daily Online, and the Chinese government’s official site. In the leadership organizational charts on these core websites, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli’s names are still listed, though they are no longer clickable.

All signs suggest the Zhang Youxia case has not yet reached a final conclusion. To borrow the words of Taiwanese macroeconomist Wu Jialong: “Many things Xi Jinping has done end up unfinished—not only the Belt and Road, but also Xiong’an New Area, the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macau Greater Bay Area, the Beijing Stock Exchange, the Hainan Free Trade Port, and Shenzhen as an international financial center. And of course Hong Kong has turned out that way too. His move against Zhang Youxia may also end unfinished. Let’s just keep watching—no need to rush.” △