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Zhang Youxia has been accused of corruption and leaking highly confidential secrets to the US.
19:20, Sun, Jan 25, 2026 Updated: 19:24, Sun, Jan 25, 2026
Zhang Youxia has been accused of leaking secrets to the US (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
One of China’s top generals has come under fire for allegedly leaking information about their nuclear-weapons program to the US in exchange for cash. A military briefing about the allegations on Saturday morning came just before the announcement of the bombshell investigation into top military figure, Zhang Youxia.
The Ministry of Defence’s investigation has shocked many in China, with Zhang once considered one of Xi Jinping’s most trusted allies. Although many of the details on Zhang’s alleged territory have been kept a secret, the release does say the investigation will focus on severe violations of party discipline and state laws, reports the Wall Street Journal.
Zhang Youxia is one of China's top general (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Sources close to the private briefing have been able to release more details, alleging that the general is specifically being looked into for forming political cliques, undermining party unity and abusing his authority.
The briefing is alleged to have warned that Zhang accepted huge sums of cash for his influence in procuring military equipment.
But in the most shocking revelations, it claims Zhang had leaked confidential technical data about China’s nuclear weapons system to the IS.
Much of the evidence alleged against Zhang came from Gu Jun, the former manager of the state-owned China National Nuclear Corp; however, Gu himself was accused of severe violations of party discipline and state law.
Xi Jinping has begun a crackdown on the military (Image: Getty)
After the allegations were put to the Chinese state by the Wall Street Journal Liu Pengyu, the spokesman at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said the party’s decision to investigate Zhang underscores that the leadership maintains “a full-coverage, zero-tolerance approach to combating corruption.”
Xi’s crackdown against stop military figures marks an aggressive shift to crack down on military loyalty.
Christopher Johnson, head of China Strategies Group, added: “This move is unprecedented in the history of the Chinese military and represents the total annihilation of the high command.”
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Zhang has also been linked to former Defence Minister Li Shangfu, allegedly raising him to the position in exchange for bribes.
The party went on to expel Li the following year for corruption.
English (US) · 