Xi’s top general under probe in China’s deepest military purge yet

BEIJING – China’s long-running purge of military leaders has entered uncharted territory, with the authorities opening an investigation into their top general, General Zhang Youxia – President Xi Jinping’s second-in-command and the highest-ranking serving officer to be placed under scrutiny by Mr Xi. The sweep has also ensnared General Liu Zhenli, the People’s Liberation Army’s chief of joint staff, a role central to the military’s combat-readiness. China’s Ministry of National Defence said on Jan 24 that Gen Zhang and Gen Liu are suspected of “serious violations of discipline and laws” and are under investigation. In China, a public investigation announcement…