Direct translation
News that was expected but not broadcast: Why did Zhang Youxia "disappear" from CCTV's News Broadcast?
Reporter : Luo Tingting / Editor : Fan Ming / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0126/2339796.html / A retired senior official revealed that on the day Zhang Youxia, the second-highest-ranking figure in the Chinese military, was arrested, he received a notification requiring him to watch CCTV's "News Broadcast" that evening. However, strangely, CCTV did not broadcast the news of Zhang Youxia's arrest. (Image: Zhang Youxia's file photo. Video screenshot)
Many anomalies have occurred since the arrest of Zhang Youxia, the second-highest-ranking figure in the Chinese military. A retired senior official revealed that on the day of Zhang Youxia's arrest, he received a notification requiring him to watch CCTV's "News Broadcast" that evening. However, strangely, CCTV did not broadcast the news of Zhang Youxia's arrest.
CCTV did not broadcast news of Zhang Youxia's arrest
An article published in the People's Daily on 26 January 2026, authored by "Mei Lingshuang," stated that a retired provincial party committee office director from a certain province revealed that after the Chinese military officially announced the investigation of Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Liu Zhenli, Chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, in the afternoon of 24 January 2026, their retired senior officials received a notice requiring them to watch CCTV's "News Broadcast" at 7 pm that evening, implying a major announcement was imminent.
However, strangely, the "News Broadcast" that evening did not broadcast the news of Zhang and Liu's investigation.
The following day, CCTV still did not broadcast the news of Zhang and Liu's investigation, only airing excerpts of an editorial in the Military Daily that named Zhang and Liu.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) website deletes announcement of Zhang Youxia's Investigation
Furthermore, the official website of the CCDI, the highest body responsible for internal party discipline review, had followed up with a notice of Zhang and Liu's investigation on the afternoon of the 24th, but immediately deleted it. It was only mentioned in a news release by the Ministry of National Defense spokesperson regarding recent military-related issues and in response to reporters' questions.
The article points out that, logically, after Xi Jinping's unexpected arrest of Zhang Youxia, at this crucial juncture, official and military media should have cheered for Xi to demonstrate their loyalty. However, contrary to expectations, they remained remarkably restrained.
Zhang Youxia's Arrest: Army Commanders refuse to express support
According to sources within the 31st Group Army, Xi Jinping instructed the commanders of each group army to express their support after Zhang Youxia's arrest. However, the commanders generally remained silent, with none willing to be the first to publicly support Zhang Youxia's arrest.
Political commentator Li Linyi stated that after the official announcement of the downfall of two heavyweight military figures, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, the entire military remained silent, except for an editorial published in the *Military Daily*. This could be interpreted as a change in the authorities' rules, but it also cannot be ruled out that Xi Jinping wanted to quickly de-escalate the Zhang Youxia incident to avoid a backlash from within the military.
Chen Pokong, a senior commentator based in the US, told The Epoch Times that the lack of widespread support within the Chinese military, as seen after the downfall of figures like Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, suggests that while Xi Jinping and Cai Qi may have mobilized the military, there is skepticism surrounding the matter. He believes discontent has already emerged within the military, with Zhang Youxia's former subordinates potentially seeking information about their old commander's whereabouts or attempting to rescue him. Xi Jinping is on high alert to prevent a military coup.
According to Tang Baiqiao, a US-based pro-democracy activist, on the X platform, he has received information that the Zhang Youxia case is not yet settled. The two sides are currently debating the legality of the arrest. Zhang's family and some of his subordinates have publicly expressed their dissatisfaction and demanded correction. The authorities have halted further action. This is the first time Xi Jinping's absolute authority has been challenged. The probability of an accidental clash is increasing.
Analysis: Top-level power struggle enters real-world showdown; CCP's disintegration countdown begins
Current affairs commentator Zhou Xiaohui analyzes that Xi Jinping's arrest of Politburo members without following normal procedures not only disregards the principle of "collective and unified leadership" reached at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, challenging the Politburo Standing Committee members and other members who agree with and have already implemented this principle, but also sends a dangerous signal that sends chills down the spines of all retired and current high-ranking officials.
Furthermore, Zhang Youxia and his son have cultivated deep roots in the military for many years, with numerous protégés and former subordinates, and countless generals in the military are dissatisfied with Xi. Xi can continuously arrest people, but he struggles to win over the hearts and minds of the people. Moreover, with one high-ranking general after another being purged, the military is also filled with fear; how long can they endure this? A mutiny in the military is not a low-probability event.
Zhou Xiaohui believes that when the top-level power struggle enters a real-world stage, "national disaster" will be inevitable, and the CCP's disintegration will enter its countdown.
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