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Zhang Youxia

The latest news on Chinese politician Zhang Youxia, including political stories and updates.

Born

Jul 1950

Industry

Politics, Military

Job Title

Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China

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 minutes agovideocam

Corruption in China

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

2 Feb 2026 - 8:03PMvideocam

Corruption in China

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

31 Jan 2026 - 8:56PMvideocam

South China Sea

China says Philippines is stoking tensions with Scarborough Shoal drill

Manila reportedly issued a notice warning of military exercises across a wide area of the South China Sea until the end of March.

30 Jan 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

The exercises will reportedly run until the end of March. Photo: AP

Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign

Former Inner Mongolia party chief, veterans minister investigated for corruption

Sun Shaocheng’s downfall is announced days after investigations into China’s top-ranking general Zhang Youxia.

30 Jan 2026 - 2:53PMvideocam

Central Military Commission

‘Communist warrior’: China’s leaders pay tribute to late general Liao Xilong

Liao praised for his party loyalty just days after the downfall of the country’s top uniformed officer.

29 Jan 2026 - 11:08PMvideocam

China-Russia relations

China and Russia to bolster defence ties to counter risks

Call marks first ministerial-level exchange between Beijing and Moscow since US raid on Venezuela and Trump’s stronger words on Greenland.

27 Jan 2026 - 10:47PMvideocam

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun and his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov inspect an honour guard during a welcoming ceremony in Beijing in October 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE

China’s Communist Party

China’s top general ousted in corruption investigation

The seven-seat Central Military Commission now only has two active members after the downfall of vice-chairman Zhang Youxia and fellow general Liu Zhenli.

26 Jan 2026 - 5:18PM

SCMP Highlights

Thailand’s Chinese weapons haul, Blackpink in Hong Kong: 5 weekend reads

From a rapid rise in solo living to Blackpink shows with a Hong Kong flair, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

26 Jan 2026 - 2:18PM

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

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, has emphasised the need for “self-revolution” to fight corruption and ensure healthy governance. Photo: Xinhua

China-Russia relations

Missile defence in focus as China, Russia generals pledge deeper cooperation

Zhang Youxia and Russian counterpart discuss collaboration ‘blueprint’ in Moscow as US pushes Golden Dome, nuclear weapons testing.

21 Nov 2025 - 7:32PMvideocam

In his first visit to Russia in two years, Zhang Youxia, China’s top general, has signalled a continued strengthening of defence ties between the two countries. Photo: Sputnik

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

PLA urged to ‘live a tight life’ as top officials elaborate on 5-year plan

Senior Chinese general calls for cutting training, management and equipment support costs while improving procurement.

6 Nov 2025 - 5:00AM

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 military

China will work with Singapore on regional stability, top military officer says

Beijing’s most senior general meets the Singaporean defence minister on the sidelines of the Beijing Xiangshan Forum.

18 Sep 2025 - 4:38AM

Singaporean Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing meets Central Military Commission vice-chairman General Zhang Youxia at the Bayi Building in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Handout

China's military weapons

Will Chinese Z-10ME attack helicopters now power Pakistan’s military?

Social media posts suggest Pakistan has received a shipment of advanced aircraft similar to helicopter China has deployed near Indian border.

2 Aug 2025 - 10:00PM

China's military weapons

Indonesia considers buying Chinese J-10 jets that played lead role in Kashmir

The country’s deputy defence minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto said the planes ‘meet our criteria and are affordable’.

5 Jun 2025 - 7:30PMvideocam

Corruption in China

Chinese military leaders urge war readiness ahead of Lunar New Year

During visits to PLA units, top-ranked CMC vice-chairmen pledge to fight corruption and strengthen combat abilities.

27 Jan 2025 - 6:09PM

Chinese President Xi Jinping (front, centre) poses with officers and soldiers of the PLA’s Northern Theatre Command on Friday. Photo: Xinhua

China’s military drills

China and Pakistan talk security as they target terrorism against belt and road

Top Chinese military official meets Pakistani counterpart in wake of attacks against Chinese interests in the South Asian country.

28 Nov 2024 - 11:40PMvideocam

China’s military

China, Saudi military cooperation on ‘fast track’ as top defence officials meet

Riyadh’s Khalid bin Salman holds meetings with China’s top generals during relations-building visit to Beijing.

26 Jun 2024 - 5:44PM

Two Sessions 2024

Chinese general calls for crackdown on ‘fake combat capabilities’ in military

He Weidong’s message seen to be related to weapons procurement and problems with training.

11 Mar 2024 - 5:47PMvideocam

107

General He Weidong, China’s No 3 military official, took aim at “fake combat capabilities”. Photo: CCTV

Science

Does China need a data bureau to support its ever-growing satellite networks?

A CPPCC member has suggested the creation of an agency to coordinate information being gathered by the devices.

8 Mar 2024 - 6:00PMvideocam

The ever-growing number of satellites put into orbit by China gather a huge amount of data. Now there is a suggestion to create a national body to coordinate all that information. Photo: Xinhua

China’s military

How Beijing-hosted navy forum could take China-US military ties to a new level

The Western Pacific Naval Symposium will be held in Qingdao in April, the first time China has hosted for a decade.

1 Feb 2024 - 9:50AMvideocam

China’s military

Chinese warships visit controversial Cambodian naval base for joint exercise

The vessels pictured at the Ream naval base are the first foreign warships known to have used a new facility built with the help of China.

6 Dec 2023 - 6:59PM

US-China relations

Apec summit: risks of upset to ‘fragile stability’ as Xi, Biden prepare to meet

Both sides face multiple potential flashpoints with uncertainty likely to continue for ‘a very, very long time’, one analyst says

14 Nov 2023 - 2:51AMvideocam

US-China relations

Opinion | US-China thaw raises hopes for military dialogue breakthrough

Top-level US-China military communication was halted after Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan last year. But there are now signs of a breakthrough, with concrete action towards renewed defence relations.

13 Nov 2023 - 5:30AMvideocam

China-Russia relations

China admires Russia’s resilience, top PLA general tells Putin

General Zhang Youxia became the most senior PLA figure to visit since Russia was sanctioned over its invasion of Ukraine.

9 Nov 2023 - 11:24PM

Russia

Putin seeks cooperation with China on military satellites, prospective weapons

The Russian leader’s comments were made during a visit by General Zhang Youxia, China’s No 2 military official and vice-chair of the Central Military Commission.

9 Nov 2023 - 4:02AMvideocam

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Zhang Youxia

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.

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

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

China says Philippines is stoking tensions with Scarborough Shoal drill

Manila reportedly issued a notice warning of military exercises across a wide area of the South China Sea until the end of March.

Former Inner Mongolia party chief, veterans minister investigated for corruption

Sun Shaocheng’s downfall is announced days after investigations into China’s top-ranking general Zhang Youxia.

‘Communist warrior’: China’s leaders pay tribute to late general Liao Xilong

Liao praised for his party loyalty just days after the downfall of the country’s top uniformed officer.

China and Russia to bolster defence ties to counter risks

Call marks first ministerial-level exchange between Beijing and Moscow since US raid on Venezuela and Trump’s stronger words on Greenland.

China’s top general ousted in corruption investigation

The seven-seat Central Military Commission now only has two active members after the downfall of vice-chairman Zhang Youxia and fellow general Liu Zhenli.

Thailand’s Chinese weapons haul, Blackpink in Hong Kong: 5 weekend reads

From a rapid rise in solo living to Blackpink shows with a Hong Kong flair, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

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.

Missile defence in focus as China, Russia generals pledge deeper cooperation

Zhang Youxia and Russian counterpart discuss collaboration ‘blueprint’ in Moscow as US pushes Golden Dome, nuclear weapons testing.

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.

PLA urged to ‘live a tight life’ as top officials elaborate on 5-year plan

Senior Chinese general calls for cutting training, management and equipment support costs while improving procurement.

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.

China will work with Singapore on regional stability, top military officer says

Beijing’s most senior general meets the Singaporean defence minister on the sidelines of the Beijing Xiangshan Forum.

Will Chinese Z-10ME attack helicopters now power Pakistan’s military?

Social media posts suggest Pakistan has received a shipment of advanced aircraft similar to helicopter China has deployed near Indian border.

Indonesia considers buying Chinese J-10 jets that played lead role in Kashmir

The country’s deputy defence minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto said the planes ‘meet our criteria and are affordable’.

Chinese military leaders urge war readiness ahead of Lunar New Year

During visits to PLA units, top-ranked CMC vice-chairmen pledge to fight corruption and strengthen combat abilities.

China and Pakistan talk security as they target terrorism against belt and road

Top Chinese military official meets Pakistani counterpart in wake of attacks against Chinese interests in the South Asian country.

China, Saudi military cooperation on ‘fast track’ as top defence officials meet

Riyadh’s Khalid bin Salman holds meetings with China’s top generals during relations-building visit to Beijing.

Chinese general calls for crackdown on ‘fake combat capabilities’ in military

He Weidong’s message seen to be related to weapons procurement and problems with training.

Does China need a data bureau to support its ever-growing satellite networks?

A CPPCC member has suggested the creation of an agency to coordinate information being gathered by the devices.

How Beijing-hosted navy forum could take China-US military ties to a new level

The Western Pacific Naval Symposium will be held in Qingdao in April, the first time China has hosted for a decade.

Chinese warships visit controversial Cambodian naval base for joint exercise

The vessels pictured at the Ream naval base are the first foreign warships known to have used a new facility built with the help of China.

Apec summit: risks of upset to ‘fragile stability’ as Xi, Biden prepare to meet

Both sides face multiple potential flashpoints with uncertainty likely to continue for ‘a very, very long time’, one analyst says

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | US-China thaw raises hopes for military dialogue breakthrough

Top-level US-China military communication was halted after Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan last year. But there are now signs of a breakthrough, with concrete action towards renewed defence relations.

China admires Russia’s resilience, top PLA general tells Putin

General Zhang Youxia became the most senior PLA figure to visit since Russia was sanctioned over its invasion of Ukraine.

Putin seeks cooperation with China on military satellites, prospective weapons

The Russian leader’s comments were made during a visit by General Zhang Youxia, China’s No 2 military official and vice-chair of the Central Military Commission.

Opinion | US-China thaw raises hopes for military dialogue breakthrough