China expels Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from Party and military, refers suspected crimes to military prosecutors

Xinhua published a Politburo notice on September 21 saying the Central Military Commission's disciplinary and supervisory bodies had investigated Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli for serious discipline and legal violations. The Politburo reviewed and approved the reports that day.

The notice said Zhang was expelled from the Party and lost his status as a delegate to the 20th Party Congress. Liu was expelled from the Party and lost his Party Congress delegate and Central Committee memberships. Suspected criminal matters were transferred to military prosecutors for review and prosecution; a Central Committee plenary session must ratify the Party expulsions.

The Central Military Commission has also expelled both men from military service. Reuters reported that the investigations were announced in January 2026 and that both men were removed from the state CMC in late August. The September 21 decisions move the Party, military and criminal processes to a new stage.

The official reports allege serious violations of political, organisational, integrity, work and life discipline, including assistance with promotions, receipt of large sums and abuse or dereliction of duty. These are official investigative findings and allegations. The public notice does not provide the amounts, full evidence or a court judgment, and N Globe does not present suspected crimes that have not been publicly tried as convictions.

The accompanying image is an N Globe editorial illustration, not documentary footage. Verification status: confirmed for the official disciplinary, military and referral decisions, not independent confirmation of every underlying allegation. News value: A-level major news. Origin region: China. Primary section: Politics. Related regions: Asia and World. Source publication times: Xinhua, September 21, 2026, 10:00 UTC; Reuters, 11:39 UTC. Report date: September 21, 2026.