26.01.2026 06:20
In China, it is claimed that the country's most senior general, General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) that oversees the army, has provided nuclear secrets to the United States. Zhang, who has a long-standing family friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, was known to be one of the closest figures to him within the Chinese military.
In China, the country's most senior general, Deputy Chief of the Central Military Commission (CMC) General Zhang Youxia, has been accused of leaking classified information regarding the country's nuclear program to the United States, according to an investigation launched against him.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, which cited "individuals who attended a briefing for senior commanders regarding the allegations," it was claimed that Zhang transferred technical information related to China's nuclear program to the U.S., thereby creating a national security vulnerability.
It was reported that the findings related to the allegation were obtained from an investigation launched against Gu Jun, the former General Manager of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), which is responsible for overseeing China's military and civilian nuclear programs.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the National Supervisory Commission of China announced on January 19 that an investigation had been initiated against Gu, a civilian executive.
ALLEGATION OF APPOINTMENT IN EXCHANGE FOR BRIBERY On the other hand, it was alleged that the Chinese general received bribes for promotions and assignments in the Equipment Development Department, which is responsible for military equipment and modernization, of the CMC, which he led for many years, and that he facilitated the appointment of former Defense Minister Li Shangfu in exchange for a large amount of bribe.
Former Defense Minister Li, after disappearing from public view for a while in 2023, was dismissed and an investigation into corruption was launched against him the following year. It was stated that Zhang was accused of abusing his authority in military equipment and defense industry to establish influence networks within the army and create political factions. It was also claimed that Chief of General Staff Liu Zhenli, who is being investigated alongside Zhang, faces similar accusations, and that phones of some officers close to both generals were confiscated as part of the investigation.
A NAME WITH FAMILY FRIENDSHIP WITH XI Zhang, who has a long-standing family friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, was known as one of the closest figures to him within the Chinese army. Both Xi and Zhang's fathers, who were natives of Shaanxi province, were prominent political and military figures among the Communist militia led by Mao Zedong during the civil war.
General Zhang Youxia. Zhang's father, Zhang Congxun, was the commander of the Northwest Field Army of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), while Xi's father, Xi Congxun, was the political commissar of that army. Zhang, who was promoted to general in 2011, was appointed head of the army's equipment unit, then known as the General Armament Department, after Xi was elected General Secretary of the CPC in 2012. Zhang played a key role in implementing the reforms and modernization initiatives of the army initiated during President Xi's administration.
As one of the two vice chairmen of the seven-member Central Military Commission, which is the highest governing body of the PLA, General Zhang held the most senior military position in the army. Zhang was also a member of the 24-member Politburo, the highest governing body of the CPC.
CORRUPTION INVESTIGATIONS IN THE ARMY In recent years, numerous high-ranking military personnel have been dismissed, expelled from the party, or removed from their parliamentary positions as part of corruption investigations targeting the armed forces in China. In 2023, investigations were launched targeting the Rocket Forces, responsible for critical nuclear weapons and long-range missiles in terms of strategic deterrence, and then in 2024, the Equipment Development Department responsible for military equipment and modernization.
Following the investigations, two former Defense Ministers, General Wei Fenghe and General Li Shangfu, who previously held command positions in these units, were expelled from the army and their party and were prosecuted on charges of bribery and abuse of power. Additionally, the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, General He Weidong, who holds the second most senior military position in China, and Admiral Miao Hua, Director of the Political Work Department, were also expelled from the army and the party due to ongoing investigations against them.