**Top Chinese General Zhang Youxia Missing Amid Military Purge Speculation**
Key Takeaways:
- Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, missed a key political meeting, fueling political rumors.
- At least three other senior party officials were also absent, with no official explanation provided for Zhang or the others.
- Observers link Zhang’s disappearance to ongoing military corruption purges and earlier open calls for a coup.
Beijing — China’s top general Zhang Youxia is trending after his unexplained absence from a major Communist Party meeting sparked intense speculation over a potential political downfall. Zhang, the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), failed to appear at the opening of a high-level leadership seminar held on January 20, 2026, at the Central Party School in Beijing—an event typically attended by all key military and political figures.
Senior Leadership Absent from Pivotal Party Event
According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, four members of the Chinese Communist Party’s Political Bureau were noticeably absent from the high-profile meeting. These include Zhang Youxia, Central Organization Minister Shi Taifeng, former Xinjiang Secretary Ma Xingrui, and Vice Premier He Lifeng. While He Lifeng is confirmed to be abroad in Switzerland for the 2026 World Economic Forum, the reason for the other three absences remains undisclosed.
Military watchers and political analysts are especially concerned about Zhang, who holds one of the most powerful military posts in China. Also missing was CMC member and Chief of the Joint Staff Department Liu Zhenli. Zhang’s position as the second-highest official in China’s military hierarchy—reporting directly to President Xi Jinping—makes his no-show a conspicuous and politically sensitive development.
Background: Military Turmoil and Anti-Corruption Purges
The alarming significance of Zhang’s absence is magnified by the recent wave of anti-corruption crackdowns targeting the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Over the past two years, Xi Jinping has removed or investigated numerous top-ranking military officers, purportedly as part of a sweeping anti-graft campaign. A notable case includes He Weidong, another former CMC Vice Chairman, who was purged in 2025.
Notably, Zhang Youxia’s last confirmed public appearance was on December 22, 2025, during a military ceremony for the promotion of generals. Unlike previous similar events that drew broad participation from senior PLA figures, the ceremony featured a relatively small number of attendees—a point observers believe signals an ongoing purge. People who appeared with Zhang at that ceremony included Defense Minister Dong Jun and discipline czar Zhang Shengmin. It is unclear whether Zhang has since been placed under internal investigation.
Recent online attention escalated following the resurfacing of an open letter published in late 2025, which controversially called on Zhang Youxia to “launch a military coup” against Xi Jinping. The anonymous letter outlined three radical options for Zhang: instigate a rebellion, commit suicide to protect his family, or await a quiet internal arrest. Observers note that this public incitement likely increased pressure on Zhang, both from the regime and within the military establishment.
Implications for China’s Political Stability
Zhang Youxia’s current status remains uncertain, but his absence coincides with a broader trend of instability within China’s top military brass. Analysts suggest that if Zhang is indeed under investigation or has been removed, the consequences are significant—both for military command coherence and Xi Jinping’s consolidation of power.
A possible purge of Zhang further enables Xi to place loyalists in critical military roles. Zhang, despite his family ties to the revolutionary generation—his father was a close comrade of Mao Zedong—has now potentially joined a growing list of high-ranking officials sidelined under Xi’s reign.
Adding to the uncertainty, rumor mills suggest that even Zhang’s son may have been detained under a policy of “guilt by association,” a mechanism sometimes deployed in internal party purges to dismantle entrenched power networks. If confirmed, this would underscore the severity of the current cleansing campaign targeting those once considered unshakable in the military elite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is Zhang Youxia trending?
A: He is trending due to his unexplained absence from a major Communist Party meeting, triggering widespread speculation that he may have been removed in a political purge targeting China’s military leadership.
Q: What happens next?
A: Chinese authorities have not issued a public statement. If Zhang has been removed, an official announcement or continued silence from state media may confirm his status in the coming days.
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