China strips former generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli of top military positions

The two generals have been under investigation for alleged discipline violations since January and were officially stripped of their positions on the Central Military Commission (CMC) at a meeting of the National People’s Congress’ Standing Committee on Friday. A commentary by the PLA Daily in January said Zhang and Liu had betrayed the trust of the Communist Party and undermined the party’s absolute control of the military as well as the reputation of the armed forces. Both Zhang and Liu are decorated veterans and took part in People’s Liberation Army campaigns against Vietnam in the late 1970s.