Following a Politburo meeting held on Monday, the Chinese Communist Party announced the expulsion of two prominent military leaders, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli. Both individuals were removed from the party and stripped of their positions within the armed forces due to allegations of factionalism and disloyalty to the party leadership.

Zhang Youxia held the position of vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), serving as the highest-ranking uniformed officer in the Chinese military, positioned directly under President Xi Jinping. As a key member of the CMC, which serves as the primary decision-making body for China's defense, Zhang’s removal represents a major development in the internal structure of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Liu Zhenli was also a senior figure within the military hierarchy.

State media reports indicate that these actions are part of a broader effort to enforce party discipline and ensure absolute loyalty within the military ranks. While the official announcement focuses on the disciplinary nature of the expulsions, the move highlights ongoing efforts by the central government to consolidate control over the armed forces. There is currently no information regarding the specific incidents or evidence that led to these charges, as the party has not provided further details beyond the initial announcement of the expulsions.