March 11, 2023: Senior members of the CCP’s Central Military Commission line up to take the oath at the National People’s Congress. From right to left: Zhang Youxia, He Weidong, Li Shangfu, Liu Zhenli, Miao Hua, Zhang Shengmin. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
[People News] Currently, the large-scale purge within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) military has entered a phase of secrecy. Once senior CCP generals are officially announced to be under investigation or reported as 'missing,' it becomes difficult for the outside world to ascertain their fate.
Nevertheless, regardless of how the CCP attempts to obscure the truth, information continues to circulate both domestically and internationally. The 'rumors' that the CCP dismisses often turn out to be surprisingly accurate predictions.
On January 24, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense announced that Zhang Youxia, a member of the Political Bureau of the CCP and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, along with Liu Zhenli, a member of the Central Military Commission and Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department, are under investigation for serious violations of discipline and law.
This shocking news has reverberated throughout the world regarding the CCP's political landscape in 2026. Zhang Youxia serves as the deputy commander of the CCP military and is one of the few generals with practical experience and significant military achievements, holding considerable influence both domestically and internationally. Liu Zhenli has also seen combat, received first-class merit, and was once the youngest group army commander, the youngest major general, the youngest general, as well as the youngest member of the Central Military Commission and the youngest Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department.
Following the announcement of the investigations into Zhang and Liu, various rumors began to circulate overseas, including one suggesting that both had been assassinated.
On March 13 of last year, reports emerged from overseas indicating that He Weidong, a member of the Political Bureau of the CCP and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, had been arrested. Subsequently, rumors surfaced claiming that He Weidong had committed suicide.
On April 20 of last year, further reports from overseas indicated that He Hongjun, the Executive Deputy Director of the Political Work Department of the Military Commission, had also been arrested. Following this, rumors circulated that He Hongjun had committed suicide as well.
The Chinese Communist authorities have confirmed the news that Zhang Youxia, Liu Zhenli, He Weidong, and He Hongjun are under investigation. This raises the question: Are Zhang Youxia, Liu Zhenli, He Weidong, and He Hongjun still alive? I have my doubts.
1. Are Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli still alive?
On January 27, reports emerged from overseas suggesting that Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were assassinated rather than arrested. According to the report, "On the morning of January 20, while Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were waiting for a meeting in the lounge of the Central Party School, they were suddenly attacked by armed personnel of unknown identity. Their bodyguards were killed on the spot, and the two were severely injured and taken away."
I cannot confirm the allegations regarding the assassination of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli. However, considering some highly unusual occurrences following the downfall of Zhang and Liu, I believe there is a possibility that they have indeed been assassinated.
One notable abnormal occurrence is that on the day after Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were officially announced to be under "case review," the Chinese military newspaper published an editorial condemning them with the phrase "five serious offenses."
These "five serious offenses" include: "seriously betraying the trust of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, seriously undermining the responsibility system of the Chairman of the Military Commission, seriously fostering political and corruption issues that threaten the Party's absolute leadership over the military and harm the Party's governing foundation, seriously affecting the image and authority of the Military Commission leadership, seriously impacting the political ideological foundation for the unity and progress of all military officers and soldiers, causing significant damage to the political construction, political ecology, and combat effectiveness of the military, and having an extremely adverse impact on the Party, the country, and the military."
Cadres managed by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, known as 'Central Managed Cadres,' are typically characterized only after an official announcement of their investigation. This usually occurs after the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) or the Military Discipline Inspection Commission has completed its review. It is only when the CCDI or Xinhua News Agency announces their expulsion from the Party that their issues are defined. Prior to this characterization, a standard phrase is used: 'after investigation.' This indicates that only after the CCDI or Military Discipline Inspection Commission has conducted an investigation and gathered evidence of their mistakes or crimes can their issues be characterized.
As of August 11, 2026, Xi Jinping has been in power for 14 years, during which 1,030 Central Managed Cadres have been investigated. Among these, only Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli had their issues characterized by the Xi administration the day after they were officially announced to be under investigation. This represents a case of 'conviction before investigation.'
Such a practice contradicts common sense and violates procedural norms; it is highly unusual.
What factual basis exists for the 'five serious issues' concerning Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli? There is none. The editorial from the People's Liberation Army Daily is entirely self-referential, presenting arguments without any supporting evidence.
As of now, it has been 6 months and 18 days since Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were officially announced to be under investigation, yet the Chinese Communist authorities have not revealed any facts regarding the 'five serious issues' concerning them.
Why are the Chinese Communist authorities so eager to present the 'five serious issues' to convict Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli?
I believe a plausible explanation is that this incident represents an illegal quasi-military coup, a sudden attack that took many by surprise, and a political conspiracy orchestrated in secret by a very small group of individuals. Their goal was to 'eliminate' Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli in one decisive blow, creating a fait accompli before justifying their actions to avoid prolonged repercussions.
Given the unexpected nature of the event, there is a possibility that Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli could be assassinated amid the conflict between the two factions.
Another highly unusual occurrence is that on January 24, the Chinese Communist Party officially announced that Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were under 'investigation'; the following day, the Wall Street Journal in the United States published an article titled 'China's Top General Zhang Youxia Accused of Leaking Nuclear Secrets to the U.S.'
According to the article, 'insiders' revealed that on the morning of January 24, senior military officials of the Chinese Communist Party convened a meeting to discuss issues related to Zhang Youxia. The most serious allegation against him is that he leaked core technical data regarding China's nuclear weapons to the United States, including missile guidance system parameters and critical technologies for miniaturizing nuclear warheads. Some of the evidence comes from Gu Jun, the former deputy secretary of the party group and general manager of the China National Nuclear Corporation, which oversees both civilian and military nuclear programs. Gu Jun was officially reported to have been dismissed on January 19.
The United States is considered the primary enemy of the Chinese Communist Party, and nuclear weapon secrets are among the most sensitive national defense secrets. What crime has Zhang Youxia committed by leaking nuclear weapon secrets to the United States? It is a capital offense.
However, it is important to note that this also represents a 'death sentence without trial.' This situation is exceedingly abnormal.
This situation clearly reflects a faction within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that is attempting to undermine Zhang Youxia. They are using so-called 'informed sources' to deliberately leak information to foreign media, aiming to tarnish Zhang's reputation with accusations of 'colluding with foreign powers,' 'betraying the party and the country,' and 'selling out the nation.'
Zhang Youxia is a member of the 'red second generation,' holding a prominent position as a member of the CCP Politburo and the first vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission. He possesses power, wealth, and fame. What could he possibly gain by leaking China's nuclear secrets to the United States? Does he aspire to become the President of the United States?
It is reasonable for anyone with common sense to conclude that it is simply impossible for Zhang Youxia to leak China's nuclear secrets to the United States.
There is a Chinese idiom that states, 'desperate people do not choose their words' and 'panicked people do not choose their paths.' This faction, after employing improper means to attack Zhang Youxia, is now hastily trying to cover up the illegitimacy of their actions by leveraging mainstream international media to place the blame on him.
Another relevant Chinese idiom is 'the more one tries to cover up, the more it becomes evident.' The clumsy maneuvers of the faction within the CCP attempting to take down Zhang Youxia may inadvertently reveal their true nature, which might have already placed Zhang in a precarious situation.
The third extreme anomaly is the failure to inform retired military generals.
According to a report by The Dajiyuan on July 29, a senior official from the CCP military remarked: 'In the past, when major incidents occurred in the military, the Military Commission would inform retired generals to explain the situation and seek their support. In the case of Zhang Youxia, no one has disclosed any information to us, and we cannot find out anything by asking. The promotion of key military officials is also not consulting the opinions of retired officials, which does not conform to decades of practice.'
This senior official also stated that Zhang Youxia has extensive experience in the military and is connected with numerous generals across various theaters, military branches, and equipment systems. Traditionally, if the Communist Party were to address high-level military cases, it would first inform senior military officials to mitigate any potential backlash. However, this time, the Military Commission did not engage in such communication, suggesting that Xi Jinping no longer depends on the established military coordination mechanisms.
Why did the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) authorities fail to inform retired generals about the cases of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli? What prompted the CCP to break decades of tradition by withholding all information? Why are the retired generals unable to 'find out anything'? What accounts for the secrecy surrounding the investigations into Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli?
Could it be that Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli are no longer alive?
The fourth striking anomaly is the stark contrast between the cases of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli and that of Ma Xingrui.
Ma Xingrui, a member of the CCP Politburo and former Secretary of the Xinjiang Party Committee, was officially announced to be under investigation on April 3, 2026, which is two months and ten days after the announcements regarding Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli.
However, on June 26, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) announced the suspension of Ma Xingrui's qualifications as a national representative; by June 30, he was expelled from the Party and public office, and his suspected criminal activities were referred to judicial authorities for review.
As of now, neither Zhang Youxia nor Liu Zhenli has had their positions affected; their roles within the Party and military remain unchanged, and their qualifications as national representatives have not been suspended. They have not been expelled from the Party or military, nor have they been referred to judicial authorities.
Why was Ma Xingrui, who was investigated later, dealt with first, while Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, who were investigated earlier, have yet to be addressed? Why has no evidence of wrongdoing been disclosed regarding Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, who were investigated first, while evidence against Ma Xingrui, who was convicted more than two months later, has already been referred to judicial authorities?
Is it possible that Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli have long since passed away?
2. Is He Weidong still alive?
On March 13, 2025, foreign media reported that on March 11, He Weidong, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, was arrested after attending the closing session of the National People's Congress and returning to the Bayi Building.
More than seven months later, the Chinese authorities confirmed the news of He Weidong's investigation. On October 17, 2025, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense of China announced that, with the approval of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, the Military Commission's Discipline Inspection Commission and Supervisory Commission had initiated a case review against He Weidong and eight others, all members of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China and vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission. The investigation found that He Weidong and the other nine had committed serious disciplinary and legal violations, involving particularly large sums and of an extremely serious nature, with a very adverse impact. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China decided to expel He Weidong and the other nine from the Party, and their suspected criminal matters were referred to judicial authorities for review. Previously, the Central Military Commission had decided to expel the nine from their ranks as generals.
On May 24, 2025, Cai Shenkun, an independent commentator residing in the United States, remarked in his self-media program: "He Weidong was arrested after the 'Two Sessions' and was initially tried at the 301 Hospital (the General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army), later being detained in Baoding, Hebei. Strangely, by mid-May, all the guards assigned to watch over He Weidong had returned to Beijing, and even the chef responsible for his daily care had also gone back to Beijing." Cai Shenkun disclosed that He Weidong was sent to the 301 Hospital due to a suicide attempt and died after unsuccessful resuscitation efforts on May 2.
On January 31, 2026, the 'Sino-Japanese Political and Economic Review' (Director Lu), which was the first to report on Zhang Youxia's arrest, cited sources on the X platform stating: "Former member of the Central Committee's Politburo and Vice Chairman of the Military Commission, He Weidong, has committed suicide."
In response, Cai Shenkun commented: "I produced at least five episodes last year discussing He Weidong's suicide, which faced skepticism from various quarters, with many believing he should not have died. However, in Xi's era, nothing is impossible; the reason for his death may forever remain a mystery. Ironically, prior to last year's Fourth Plenary Session, He Weidong was even subjected to a punishment of expulsion from both the Party and military."
What day was He Weidong placed under investigation? The Communist Party has not made this information public. They only announced on October 17 of last year that He Weidong, along with eight other generals, was expelled from the Party and military and transferred for judicial review. As of now, it has been nearly ten months since He Weidong was transferred to the military procuratorate for review and prosecution, and the Communist Party has not provided any updates regarding whether his case has been heard or tried.
The Chinese Communist Party has not provided any convincing refutation regarding the news of He Weidong's suicide, leading many to question: Is He Weidong still alive?
3. Is He Hongjun still alive?
On April 24, 2025, overseas reports emerged stating that on April 20, He Hongjun, the Executive Deputy Director of the Political Work Department of the Military Commission, was taken away by the military disciplinary committee for investigation.
On October 17, 2025, the Xi administration confirmed that He Hongjun was expelled from both the Party and the military due to serious disciplinary violations and illegal activities, with his suspected criminal issues referred for judicial review.
On May 19, 2025, Cai Shenkun disclosed in his self-media program that sources from Beijing claimed He Hongjun committed suicide while in detention and was rushed to the 301 Hospital for emergency treatment, but unfortunately, he could not be saved.
He Hongjun is said to have had close ties with Miao Hua, a former member of the Central Military Commission and Director of the Political Work Department. During Miao Hua's tenure, He Hongjun served as Assistant Director and was promoted to Deputy Director of the Political Work Department in April 2019, working under Miao Hua for over seven years.
On July 9, 2024, Xi Jinping held a promotion ceremony exclusively for He Hongjun, during which he was elevated to the rank of General and simultaneously promoted to Executive Deputy Director of the Political Work Department of the Military Commission (a position equivalent to that of a theater command).
On November 28, 2024, Miao Hua, a member of the Central Military Commission and Director of the Political Work Department, was officially announced to have fallen from grace. Shortly after Miao Hua's downfall, He Hongjun also faced a similar fate.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has yet to provide any convincing evidence to refute the news surrounding He Hongjun's suicide. This leads many to question: Is He Hongjun still alive?
In conclusion
The CCP, which subscribes to a 'philosophy of struggle,' has been engaged in ongoing internal power struggles marked by 'brutal conflict and ruthless attacks,' often resulting in life-and-death scenarios.
Mao Zedong 'struggled' to death his first chosen successor, Liu Shaoqi, 'struggled' to death Lin Biao, who was also designated as his successor in the party constitution, and 'struggled' to death numerous high-ranking officials such as Peng Dehuai and He Long, whom he appointed as vice-chairman of the Military Commission.
Since Xi Jinping's second term began, he has sought to emulate Mao Zedong, eagerly engaging in internal power struggles. Since the 20th National Congress of the CCP, these conflicts at the top have become particularly sharp and intense.
Former Politburo Standing Committee member and Premier Li Keqiang died under mysterious circumstances just seven months after his retirement, leading many to suspect foul play.
Following the downfall of Zhang Youxia, Liu Zhenli, He Weidong, and He Hongjun, there have been successive reports of their alleged assassinations or suicides. To this day, the CCP has not convincingly proven to the world that they are still alive, prompting the troubling question: Are they no longer among us?
--Dajiyuan
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