Zhang Youxia has called for Xi Jinping to step down and get out and the army rebelled against Xi

 Direct translation

Rumours circulate that Zhang Youxia has called for Xi Jinping to step down and get out; the entire army remained silent for 24 hours, raising suspicions of a rebellion

Editor: Chu Tian / Source: Sanlih News / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0128/2340940.html / Image : The photo shows Zhang Youxia (front row), newly elected Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China, taking the oath of office with other members of the Central Military Commission (from left to right) including Zhang Shengmin, Liu Zhenli, He Weidong, Li Shangfu, and Miao Hua, at the Fourth Plenary Session of the National People's Congress held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 11 March2023. However, by 24 January 2026, only Zhang Shengmin remained among the senior generals swearing the oath; the rest had all fallen from grace. via REUTERS- Pool

A dramatic upheaval has erupted in the CCP political arena. The Wall Street Journal reports that Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia is being purged for allegedly leaking nuclear weapons secrets and corruption, with Xi Jinping breaking the unspoken rule of "princelings" to cleanse the military. However, online rumors suggest that Xi's move has been met with "silent resistance" from the entire military, forcing them to negotiate with Zhang Youxia. Zhang rejected the retirement proposal and even challenged Xi Jinping to step down. Beijing is engulfed in a power struggle, and the PLA's combat capabilities may be hollowed out.

The news of Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia being purged by Xi Jinping is escalating. A post on the online social media platform X, attributed to Xie Wanjun, revealed that after Xi Jinping ordered the arrests of Zhang Youxia and Chief of the General Staff Liu Zhenli, he unexpectedly encountered a "silent" resistance from the entire military. It is rumoured that within 24 hours of Zhang's arrest, the entire military did not issue any statement supporting the central government, which is considered a tactic of de facto rebellion within the CCP system. The situation forced Xi Jinping to negotiate with the imprisoned Zhang Youxia, offering him the positions of Chairman of the National People's Congress and Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, or retirement at the level of a state leader, in exchange for his withdrawal from the military. However, Zhang Youxia remained defiant, demanding that Xi Jinping step down and leave China.

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) also disclosed an internal official report accusing Zhang Youxia of leaking core technical data of China's nuclear weapons program to the United States, with evidence cited from the testimony of Gu Jun, former general manager of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). The report also accused Zhang of using his position in the Equipment Development Department to accept huge bribes, promote cronies (such as the now-disgraced Li Shangfu), and form cliques to challenge the Chairman of the Central Military Commission's responsibility system. The report analyzes that Xi Jinping's move breaks the unspoken rule that the anti-corruption campaign would not easily touch the "second generation of reds" (princelings) and their long-standing allies, demonstrating that his demand for absolute loyalty to the military has no upper limit, even if it causes short-term unrest within the military.

This purge has resulted in the near "complete destruction" of the CCP's top military command. The report points out that only Zhang Shengmin, with a political work background, remains as an active-duty officer in the Central Military Commission, creating a serious vacuum in the high-level command chain, which will severely damage the PLA's short- and medium-term combat readiness. Other intelligence indicates that the Pentagon has a high opinion of Zhang Youxia, considering him one of the few professional soldiers with military expertise, which may also be one of the triggers for Xi Jinping's suspicion and jealousy.

Currently, the situation in Beijing is chaotic and unclear. There are reports that the Central Committee and the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection have transferred more than 50 people to the Military Discipline Inspection Commission, and it is estimated that more than 2,000 officers at the division level and above will face punishment. Rumours also suggest that the CCP has declared martial law and ordered the entire army to remain on standby. Despite attempts by Standing Committee members like Li Qiang and Cai Qi to dissuade Xi Jinping from halting the power struggle, the power play continues. Whether this surprise purge will turn into a failed operation by Xi is a matter of great public concern.