How Zhang Youxia Angered Xi Jinping

The "PLA Party Building Conference" of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was held in Beijing from July 20 to 21. He Weidong, Liu Zhenli, Miao Hua, and Zhang Sheng were seated on the podium. CMC Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia was absent. (Screenshot from CCTV video)

[People News] The CCP leader Xi Jinping’s arrests of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli have sparked widespread speculation. Some rumors claim Zhang and Liu attempted a failed coup against Xi. However, political commentator Du Zheng wrote in a February 4 article titled “The ‘Power Struggle Kill Line’ in the Zhang Youxia Incident” that Zhang did not have the boldness or strategic vision to launch a coup. Rather, like some CCP elders, Zhang merely tried to prevent Xi from seeking another term, fearing danger for the Party-state. During this period, Zhang halted Xi’s visits to military training grounds where he personally issued commands to the entire armed forces and received near “long live”–style adulation — a move that angered Xi.

Whenever Xi visited training grounds to issue directives, troops would sing military songs and shout slogans such as “Follow Chairman Xi’s command,” while state media lavishly promoted “Xi Jinping’s thought on strengthening the military.” Xi reportedly enjoyed this display of loyalty. But after five years, Zhang Youxia ordered it stopped, believing Xi was fostering a personality cult that did nothing to improve military training. At the time, Xi, concerned about maintaining his image as the “core leader,” did not openly confront Zhang and instead endured the slight.

To undermine Zhang, He Weidong and Miao Hua reportedly advised Xi to begin investigations in the equipment procurement system — known for heavy corruption — and in the Rocket Force, which controls China’s nuclear arsenal. The direct target was former defense minister Li Shangfu, with Zhang Youxia as the indirect target.

In October 2023, He Weidong accused Li Shangfu of corruption, leading to Li’s removal. During the March 2024 “Two Sessions,” He publicly called for a crackdown on “fake combat capability” in the military. His remarks were widely interpreted as targeting Zhang Youxia over allegedly defective equipment procurement and falsified training results.

But corruption is widespread in official circles. Zhang’s counterattack involved gathering evidence of He Weidong’s corruption, especially Miao Hua’s alleged selling of military positions, pressuring Xi to approve investigations. Miao Hua was suspended for investigation in November 2024. Shortly after the close of the March 2025 National People’s Congress, He Weidong suddenly disappeared. By October last year, He and a large group of generals and lieutenant generals had fallen from power — most of whom had allegedly risen through Miao Hua’s paid promotions, with evidence reportedly in Zhang Youxia’s hands.

After the Fourth Plenum, when Zhang Shengmin did not enter the Politburo, Zhang Youxia became the only Politburo member in the military. At military propaganda events following the plenum, his commanding presence gave the impression he was “king within the army,” making him an even greater threat in Xi’s eyes.

Ultimately, Cai Qi, who once said authorities must deal with the public using “real blades and see blood,” allegedly helped Xi plan and execute the final blow against Zhang Youxia.

The article concludes that with Zhang’s fall, Xi now faces unprecedented new crises. First, military personnel arrangements are in disarray, and Xi trusts no one — not even Zhang Shengmin, who remains on the Central Military Commission, because fence-sitters are inherently risky. Second, morale in the military is unstable, with resentment building that could lead to mutiny in wartime. Third, while Zhang Youxia was a straightforward soldier, Cai Qi — who now truly wields power across the Party, government, and can indirectly control the military — may be even more formidable.△