Is China probing its top general over an alleged nuclear secrets leak to US?

Xi’s biggest military purge shakes PLA

China has launched an investigation into its most senior military commander General Zhang Youxia amid allegations that he leaked highly sensitive nuclear weapons information to the United States, marking the most severe upheaval in the armed forces under President Xi Jinping.

Beijing announced over the weekend that it is probing its top army officer for suspected serious violations of discipline and law. General Zhang Youxia, until now the highest-ranking military figure below Xi, is at the centre of the investigation.

China’s Defence Ministry said on Saturday that Zhang, the senior of the two vice chairs of the Central Military Commission (CMC), is under investigation. The ministry also confirmed that General Liu Zhenli, another CMC member who previously headed the Joint Staff Department, is being investigated as well.

The move has effectively destabilised the entire six-member military commission chaired by Xi, leaving only one member still in position.

Unprecedented shake-up of military leadership

“This is one of the biggest purges of China’s military leadership in the history of the People’s Republic,” said Neil Thomas of the Asia Society Policy Institute.

Analysts say Xi’s latest action represents the most forceful campaign against corruption and disloyalty in the armed forces since the era of Mao Zedong, though its full implications for the military and the state remain uncertain.

Allegations of nuclear data breach

People briefed on the investigation said the most serious accusation against Zhang is that he passed core technical data related to China’s nuclear weapons programme to the United States. No public evidence has been released to support the claim.

According to those familiar with the matter, some of the evidence against Zhang emerged from the case of Gu Jun, the former general manager of China National Nuclear Corporation, which oversees both civilian and military nuclear programmes. Beijing announced last Monday that Gu was under investigation for suspected serious violations of party discipline and state law.

Officials said during a closed-door briefing on Saturday that the probe into Gu had linked Zhang to a security breach in the nuclear sector, though no details were disclosed.

Beijing defends investigation

In a statement to The Wall Street Journal, Chinese embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu said the investigation reflects the Communist Party’s “full-coverage, zero-tolerance approach to combating corruption”.

Zhang, like Xi, is a so-called “princeling” — a descendant of senior revolutionary leaders. Zhang’s father fought alongside Xi’s father during the civil war that led to the Communist takeover in 1949.

“This move is unprecedented and represents the total destruction of the high command,” said Christopher Johnson of the China Strategies Group.

Ties to disgraced defence minister

Officials also linked Zhang’s downfall to his role in promoting former defence minister Li Shangfu, alleging Zhang helped Li advance in exchange for substantial bribes.

Li vanished from public view in 2023, was later removed as defence minister, and was expelled from the Communist Party in 2024 on corruption charges.

Why the purge matters

The Defence Ministry has not provided detailed explanations of the alleged wrongdoing. An editorial in the People’s Liberation Army Daily said only that the case involved serious disciplinary and legal violations and demonstrated China’s resolve to fight corruption.

Analysts say the purges are intended to restructure the military and reinforce loyalty to Xi. Since 2012, more than 200,000 officials have been punished in anti-corruption campaigns, with at least 17 PLA generals removed since Xi took power, including eight former CMC members.

Implications for Taiwan and military readiness

Some experts believe the shake-up could affect China’s posture towards Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory and has increasingly pressured militarily.

Thomas said the purge weakens China’s threat in the short term due to disruption at the top, but strengthens it in the long run by producing a more loyal and disciplined leadership. Others argue the changes do not significantly affect the military’s operational readiness.

Uncertain future for the commission

The Central Military Commission now has only one active member besides Xi. It remains unclear whether the vacant positions will be filled soon or left open until 2027, when new party leaders are expected to be selected.

While official reports say the moves will help “rejuvenate” the armed forces, analysts see no immediate pressure on Xi to appoint replacements.