He Weidong, once a top PLA general and CCP Politburo member, is in the news amid China's military purge and anti-corruption crackdown.
On January 24-26, 2026, China's Defense Ministry announced investigations into Gen. Zhang Youxia, senior vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Gen. Liu Zhenli for serious discipline and law violations. Zhang, once Xi Jinping’s closest military ally, faces allegations including corruption and possibly leaking nuclear secrets to the US, marking a historic military leadership purge.
President Xi Jinping has removed China's highest-ranking military officials, including Gen. Zhang Youxia, amid a broad anti-corruption campaign. The purge impacts military leadership and raises concerns about China's military modernization and Taiwan invasion plans, as internal upheaval continues.