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Zhang Shengmin

The latest news and top stories on Zhang Shengmin, a General and Member of the Central Military Commission. He serves as Secretary of the CMC Commission for Discipline Inspection and Deputy Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, leading military anti-corruption efforts. A career political commissar, primarily in the PLA Rocket Force, he was promoted to General in 2017 and has overseen significant disciplinary work.

The PLA’s delegation to the NPC has shrunk from 281 members in 2023 to 243 this year. Photo: Reuters

China’s Communist Party

Xi Jinping’s zero-fail mission for China’s military: total loyalty, no corruption

President underlines his strict ideological line to the PLA’s diminished delegation to the NPC.

7 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Two Sessions 2026

China’s last CMC general standing urges more ‘political rectification’ for PLA

6 Mar 2026 - 5:52PMvideocam

China’s Communist Party

What is China’s Central Military Commission and how does it function?

13 Feb 2026 - 3:12PMvideocam

China’s Communist Party

China’s military command tightens discipline at the top in generals’ wake

Revised rules are meant to close loopholes, PLA mouthpiece says, two weeks after Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli’s downfall.

7 Feb 2026 - 8:48PMvideocam

China has tightened rules on party discipline within the military. Photo: Xinhua

Corruption in China

What does the fall of PLA top brass Zhang Youxia say about Beijing’s Taiwan plans?

Investigations into China’s top military commanders have raised questions about the PLA’s battle readiness.

4 Feb 2026 - 6:14AMvideocam

Corruption in China

Zhang Youxia probe to end ‘watered-down’ military capability: PLA Daily

Investigation and in-depth political rectification to bring in new atmosphere and positive spirit, commentary in official military paper says.

2 Feb 2026 - 8:03PMvideocam

Corruption in China

China’s military redoubles corruption fight in wake of Zhang Youxia’s downfall

PLA mouthpiece warns troops not to be blindly optimistic or totally pessimistic about winning the war against graft.

31 Jan 2026 - 8:56PMvideocam

Corruption is the first killer of combat ability, according to a new PLA Daily commentary. Photo: Xinhua

China’s Communist Party

Why China’s swift ousting of Zhang Youxia is a warning from Xi on party purity

Seemingly risky move to oust two generals ahead of Communist Party congress and PLA centenary sends a message about anti-corruption drive.

26 Jan 2026 - 4:19PMvideocam

China’s air force

China’s military calls for tip-offs as it targets corruption in air force

Notice urges public to come forward with information about ‘irregular’ activities, the first such request for a specific military branch.

18 Dec 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

China’s fourth plenum

How Xi’s ongoing battle against PLA corruption shapes China’s military future

The fight against graft in the armed forces is set to become one of the national priorities for the next five years.

14 Nov 2025 - 9:54AMvideocam

China’s fourth plenum

China’s top general vows to crack down on ‘fake loyalty’ and ‘two-faced men’

Zhang Youxia calls for military to eliminate ‘poisonous influences and long-standing problems’ and to accelerate weapons development.

5 Nov 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

China’s Communist Party

Communist Party discipline key to meeting China’s 5-year plan goals: Cai Qi

‘Self-governance’ is essential if the country is to tackle challenges and opportunities, ideology chief says.

3 Nov 2025 - 5:22PMvideocam

China’s Communist Party

PLA mouthpiece puts focus on ‘political rectification’ after generals purged

PLA Daily calls for vigilance, contemplation of the dangers of ‘greed’ and for stability amid the ‘raging waves of temptation’.

27 Oct 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

China’s Communist Party

Zhang Shengmin promoted to vice-chair of China’s Central Military Commission

Communique of fourth plenary session of Central Committee declares Zhang Fengzhong, of the PLA Rocket Force, is under a corruption probe.

23 Oct 2025 - 10:11PMvideocam

China has promoted Zhang Shengmin, the military’s anti-graft chief, to vice-chair of the powerful Central Military Commission. Photo: Handout

China’s Communist Party

China expels He Weidong, Miao Hua and 7 other generals from party and military

Rare disclosure from defence ministry comes days ahead of key Communist Party fourth plenum to discuss next five-year plan amid US rivalry.

17 Oct 2025 - 11:11PMvideocam

He Weidong has lost his position as the second-ranked vice-chairman of China’s Central Military Commission. Photo: AFP